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construct

[verb kuh n-struhkt; noun kon-struhkt]
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verb (used with object)
  1. to build or form by putting together parts; frame; devise.
  2. Geometry. to draw (a figure) fulfilling certain given conditions.
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noun
  1. something constructed.
  2. an image, idea, or theory, especially a complex one formed from a number of simpler elements.
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Origin of construct

1400–50 for earlier past participle sense; 1655–65 for current senses; late Middle English < Latin constrūctus (past participle of construere to construe), equivalent to con- con- + strūc- (variant stem of struere to build) + -tus past participle suffix
Related formscon·struct·i·ble, adjectiveo·ver·con·struct, verb (used with object)pre·con·struct, verb (used with object)qua·si-con·struct·ed, adjectivewell-con·struct·ed, adjective

Synonyms

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1. erect, form.

Synonym study

1. See make1.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for construct

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

  • There was no time to construct an armoured fleet; but they did not think they needed one.

    Freeland

    Theodor Hertzka

  • The second of the West India islands to construct a railroad was Jamaica.

    The Railroad Question

    William Larrabee

  • But what does this attempt to construct a universal history of the globe imply?

  • Fig. 89 shows the various pieces necessary to construct the hull.

    Boys' Book of Model Boats

    Raymond Francis Yates

  • This is very simple to construct and makes a pleasing craft when finished.

    Boys' Book of Model Boats

    Raymond Francis Yates

British Dictionary definitions for construct

construct

verb (kənˈstrʌkt) (tr)
  1. to put together substances or parts, esp systematically, in order to make or build (a building, bridge, etc); assemble
  2. to compose or frame mentally (an argument, sentence, etc)
  3. geometry to draw (a line, angle, or figure) so that certain requirements are satisfied
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noun (ˈkɒnstrʌkt)
  1. something formulated or built systematically
  2. a complex idea resulting from a synthesis of simpler ideas
  3. psychol a model devised on the basis of observation, designed to relate what is observed to some theoretical framework
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Derived Formsconstructible, adjectiveconstructor or constructer, noun

Word Origin

C17: from Latin constructus piled up, from construere to heap together, build, from struere to arrange, erect
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for construct

v.

early 15c., from Latin constructus, past participle of construere "to heap up" (see construction). Related: Constructed; constructing.

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n.

1871 in linguistics, 1890 in psychology, 1933 in the general sense of "anything constructed;" from construct (v.).

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper