concrete

American  

[kon-kreet, kong-, kon-kreet, kong-, kon-kreet, kong-] / ˈkɒn krit, ˈkɒŋ-, kɒnˈkrit, kɒŋ-, kɒnˈkrit, kɒŋ- /

noun

1. an artificial, stonelike material used for various structural purposes, made by mixing cement and various aggregates, as sand, pebbles, gravel, or shale, with water and allowing the mixture to harden.

2. any of various artificial building or paving materials, as those containing tar.

3. an idea, observation, term, or word having an actual or existent thing or instance as its referent, as opposed to its being abstract.

   Psychology is all about feelings and behavior, but I’m more interested in the concrete—and that’s why I became a surgeon.

4. a mass formed by coalescence or concretion of particles of matter.

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adjective

1. constituting an actual thing or instance; real.

   concrete proof of his sincerity.

   Synonyms:

   substantial, factual, solid

   Antonyms:

   abstract

2. relating to or concerned with realities or actual instances rather than abstractions; particular (general ).

   concrete ideas.

   Antonyms:

   abstract

3. representing or applied to an actual substance or thing, as opposed to an abstract quality.

   The words “cat,” “water,” and “teacher” are concrete, whereas the words “truth,” “excellence,” and “adulthood” are abstract.

4. made of concrete.

   a concrete pavement;

   concrete lawn ornaments.

5. formed by coalescence of separate particles into a mass; united in a coagulated, condensed, or solid mass or state.

verb (used with object)

concreted, concreting

1. to treat or lay with concrete.

   to concrete a sidewalk.

2. to form into a mass by coalescence of particles; render solid.

   Of these two semiliquid solutions, which one do you think can be more easily concreted?

3. to make real, tangible, or particular.

verb (used without object)

concreted, concreting

1. to coalesce into a mass; become solid; harden.

   Has it started to concrete?

2. to use or apply concrete.

   We can’t begin concreting until all the forms have been installed.

idioms

1. set / cast in concrete. stone.

concrete British  

/ ˈkɒnkriːt /

noun

1. 1. a construction material made of a mixture of cement, sand, stone, and water that hardens to a stonelike mass

   2. ( as modifier )

      a concrete slab

2. physics a rigid mass formed by the coalescence of separate particles

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adjective

1. relating to a particular instance or object; specific as opposed to general

   a concrete example

2. 1. relating to or characteristic of things capable of being perceived by the senses, as opposed to abstractions

   2. ( as noun )

      the concrete

3. formed by the coalescence of particles; condensed; solid

verb

1. (tr) to construct in or cover with concrete

2. to become or cause to become solid; coalesce

Other Word Forms

• concretely adverb
• concreteness noun
• concretive adjective
• concretively adverb
• unconcrete adjective
• unconcreted adjective
• unconcretely adverb

Etymology

Origin of concrete

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin concrētus (past participle of concrēscere “to coalesce, condense”), equivalent to con- con- + crē(scere) “to grow, increase” + -tus past participle suffix

Explanation

Concrete is that pourable mix of cement, water, sand, and gravel that hardens into a super-strong building material. Sidewalks, foundations, and highways are all made of concrete. Though people use the words cement and concrete as if they were the same, they're not. Concrete has cement in it, but also includes other materials; cement is what binds concrete together. Construction workers hate when kids write their names in concrete before it hardens: once concrete hardens, it's going to be solid for a long time. When used as an adjective, concrete also means solid. If you've got concrete plans for Saturday, then you have a definite plan.

Example Sentences

Cryptocurrencies are fundamentally unsuitable for retirement accounts due to extreme volatility and the fact that they lack concrete underlying value.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

Headlines out of the Middle East will likely continue be the market’s main driver until there are concrete details on the strait’s reopening.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

Speaking to BBC Sport on Wednesday, Fury said he wants to fight Joshua next but nothing concrete has been decided.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

We have concrete plans, and concrete bunkers, to protect the new leadership.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

Coal stepped out of the concrete tube a few moments later feeling awkwardly bare.

From "Boy 2.0" by Tracey Baptiste