mason

¹ American  

[mey-suhn] / ˈmeɪ sən /

noun

1. a person whose trade is building with units of various natural or artificial mineral products, as stones, bricks, cinder blocks, or tiles, usually with the use of mortar or cement as a bonding agent.

2. a person who dresses stones or bricks.

3. (initial capital letter) a Freemason.

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verb (used with object)

1. to construct of or strengthen with masonry.

Mason ² American  

[mey-suhn] / ˈmeɪ sən /

noun

1. Bobbie Ann, born 1940, U.S. short-story writer and novelist.

2. Charles, 1730–87, English astronomer and surveyor.

3. George, 1725–92, American statesman.

4. Lowell, 1792–1872, U.S. hymnist and educator.

5. Dame Sandra Prunella, born 1949, Barbadian politician: 1st president of Barbados since 2021.

6. a male given name.

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mason ¹ British  

/ ˈmeɪsən /

noun

1. a person skilled in building with stone

2. a person who dresses stone

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verb

1. (tr) to construct or strengthen with masonry

Mason ² British  

/ ˈmeɪsən /

noun

1. short for Freemason

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Other Word Forms

• nonmason noun

Etymology

Origin of mason

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English machun, mason, from Old French machun, masson, from Frankish makjon (unrecorded) “maker,” derivative of makōn “to make”; make ¹

Example Sentences

Before that he was a young boy, born on Halloween, frolicking among unmarked headstones as the son of funerary masons.

From The Wall Street Journal

Among the finds at the dig were a section of wall, cut stones with a masons mark, pottery, slate and a Henry III coin dating from around 1270.

From BBC

It’s a high-tech twist on the classic mason jar, using a silicone lid with a degassing valve and an AirGone Argon Gas Canister to flush out oxygen.

From Salon

The team of masons, covered in dust and sweat, had been working in the ruins of the Altadena house for hours when a shout echoed across the wreckage.

From Los Angeles Times

An estimated 2,000 masons, carpenters, restorers, roofers, foundry-workers, art experts, sculptors and engineers worked on the project - providing a huge boost for French arts and crafts.

From BBC

Related Words

• architect
• artisan
• contractor
• inventor
• maker
• manufacturer
• producer