masonry

American  

[mey-suhn-ree] / ˈmeɪ sən ri /

noun

• masonries
  plural

1. the craft or occupation of a mason.

2. work constructed by a mason, especially stonework.

   the crumbling masonry of ancient walls.

3. (initial capital letter) Freemasonry.

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masonry British  

/ ˈmeɪsənrɪ /

noun

1. the craft of a mason

2. work that is built by a mason; stonework or brickwork

3. (often capital) short for Freemasonry

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• masonries
  plural

Etymology

Origin of masonry

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English masonerie, from Middle French maçonnerie; equivalent to mason + -ery

Explanation

The word masonry refers both to the process of building things out of stone or brick and to the structures that result from this process. To practice masonry, you have to be strong enough to lift very heavy rocks. Some masonry experts (called masons) essentially "glue" bricks together with mortar, making walls, outdoor stoves, or walking paths. You can also call a person who does this a bricklayer. Other masonry is made with concrete blocks, granite, or large stones. Dry stone walls are a type of masonry constructed with no mortar—the stones are shaped and arranged so that they fit together securely.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

masonry masonries

Rescuers formed human chains to remove bricks and masonry, stopping every few minutes to listen for signs of life from those trapped below.

From Barron's ● Aug. 11, 2026

On their way in, crews had to clear debris from multiple floors; aside from chunks of concrete, masonry and flooring, obstacles included a bathroom sink and toilet that had tumbled down from above.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 5, 2026

No action was taken for years but with falling masonry, lingering asbestos, regular fires and exploding toilets, everyone agrees the work needs to be done.

From BBC ● Feb. 5, 2026

His graciousness even extended to the treatment of wooden water tanks, which he often wrapped in masonry to give them the appearance of little temples—much nicer to look at from the street.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 23, 2026

The masonry of the doorway was constructed with deep slots in it, in which heavy beams ran to and fro— heavy enough to withstand a battering ram.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White

The speaker was a man named Jack Stagg, with whom Jude had formerly worked in repairing the college masonries; Tinker Taylor was seen to be standing near.

From Jude the Obscure by Thomas Hardy

Stately masonries, longdrawn arches, cloisters, sounding aisles buttress it, begirdle it far and wide.

From Past and Present by Thomas Carlyle

I see the nameless masonries, venerable messages of the unknown events, heroes, records of the earth.

From Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman

The portals of the palaces of Venice have one or other of these masonries, almost without exception.

From The Stones of Venice, Volume I (of 3) by John Ruskin

Stately masonries, long-drawn arches, cloisters, sounding aisles buttress it, begirdle it far and wide.

From Past and Present Thomas Carlyle's Collected Works, Vol. XIII. by Thomas Carlyle