construct
Americanverb (used with object)
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constructs,
present (3rd person singular)
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constructed,
past participle, past
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constructing
present participle
noun
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constructs
plural
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something constructed.
Each musical note sign is a construct of three distinct parts: the head, the stem, and the hook.
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a mental image, idea, or theory, especially a complex one formed from a number of simpler elements.
Character is a construct of personal values, personal rules and morals, and a number of other facets, including self-control and willpower.
verb
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to put together substances or parts, esp systematically, in order to make or build (a building, bridge, etc); assemble
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to compose or frame mentally (an argument, sentence, etc)
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geometry to draw (a line, angle, or figure) so that certain requirements are satisfied
noun
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something formulated or built systematically
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a complex idea resulting from a synthesis of simpler ideas
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psychol a model devised on the basis of observation, designed to relate what is observed to some theoretical framework
Usage
What does construct mean? To construct means to build or create by putting parts together, as in Val constructed a whole town out of toy building blocks. A construct is something that is created, often with a complex form. The verb form of construct, pronounced kuhn-struhkt, is most often used to refer to buildings and monuments being built, but it can be used in any situation where something is built or parts are combined. You can construct a meal, for example, out of ingredients in your refrigerator or construct an outfit out of articles of clothing in your closet. The noun form of construct, pronounced kon-struhkt, is anything that is built, either literally or figuratively. It is most often used figuratively to describe something that is made up of practices or ideas from a specific philosophy or school of thought. Constructs are often complex theories that are informed by many smaller ideas of the way things work. Example: The gas company tried to construct a new pipeline, but the pipes kept leaking.
Synonym Usage
See make 1.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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constructornoun
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overconstructverb (used with object)
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preconstructverb (used with object)
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constructibleadjective
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quasi-constructedadjective
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well-constructedadjective
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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constructsimple
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constructssimple
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have constructedperfect
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has constructedperfect
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am constructingprogressive
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are constructingprogressive
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is constructingprogressive
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have been constructingperfect progressive
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has been constructingperfect progressive
Past
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constructedsimple
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had constructedperfect
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was constructingprogressive
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were constructingprogressive
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had been constructingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of construct
First recorded in 1400–50 for earlier past participle sense; 1655–65 for current senses; late Middle English, from Latin constrūctus (past participle of construere “to construe ”), equivalent to con- con- + strūc- (variant stem of struere “to build”) + -tus past participle suffix
Explanation
To construct things is to build them. You might construct a sand castle the next time you're at the beach, or you might construct a theory about why your brother always manages to get away with breaking the rules. The verb construct comes from the Latin word constructus, meaning “to heap up.” If you work in construction you're in the business of building things, and you probably construct buildings, roads, municipal parks, and other large permanent structures. Students of psychology are familiar with the noun form of construct, which refers to an abstract concept. Much of psychological theory is founded on constructs — like gender, morality, and intelligence.
Vocabulary lists containing construct
Latin Love, Vol I: struere
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Ancient Egypt and Kush, Lessons 1–3
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Cormac McCarthy's "The Road"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
They guide financial advisers on how to construct clients’ portfolios and how to explain the risks.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 22, 2026
Real Madrid's formula was seemingly simple: construct a team of the world's best players - spearheaded by Cristiano Ronaldo - and stick a legendary former star in charge.
From BBC ● Oct. 14, 2026
To construct the atlas, researchers used mass spectrometry imaging, a technique that allows them to identify lipid molecules across thin sections of brain tissue.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 13, 2026
Most towns and local governments have rules on how big a lot must be for a builder to construct a single-family home on it.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 13, 2026
The remaining way for kleptocrats to gain public support is to construct an ideology or religion justifying kleptocracy.
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
As Perseverance moves, it continuously captures images of its surroundings, constructs a three-dimensional map of potential obstacles, and selects a safe route between destinations chosen by mission controllers.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 21, 2026
Ms. Fox constructs a clear, detailed and well-paced narrative of the siege.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026
The ecosystem does not wait for evidence; it constructs a narrative framework into which evidence, if it ever appears, can be slotted later.
From Salon ● Jun. 24, 2026
Heifetz is grounded in her decision by a central tenet of Earthseed, the fictional religion Butler constructs in “Parable of the Sower.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 23, 2026
Bechareh, she probably constructs tales as a way of mourning the loss of her family, was the collective surmise of most of the wives.
From "Interpreter of Maladies" by Jhumpa Lahiri
Today, he’s headed to Washington, D.C., for the funeral of a comrade — but another of his comrades might threaten his carefully constructed life.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 2, 2026
The building was originally constructed in 1967 before being transformed into an upscale residential destination.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 29, 2026
Importantly, the researchers went beyond computer simulations and constructed a working device.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 26, 2026
He goes to bed early and rises early the next morning to do a CrossFit workout in the gym he constructed at home.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 26, 2026
On either side television towers had been constructed with cameras focusing in as Sayle spoke.
From "Stormbreaker" by Anthony Horowitz
This isn’t about optimizing every meal, spending three hours prepping identical containers or constructing the sort of Sunday routine that makes you feel behind when you inevitably skip it.
From Salon ● Sep. 22, 2026
The arts center was founded by acclaimed Ghanaian artist Ibrahim Mahama, who Florenz said has proposed constructing a permanent building for the coffins.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 22, 2026
Rather than constructing the desired quantum states one small piece at a time, their method can perform a wide variety of operations much faster.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 11, 2026
It started with a sudden, strong gust of air, says Pemba Dundu Tamang, whose team of about 30 was constructing the tunnel's concrete lining.
From BBC ● Sep. 1, 2026
We spent the remainder of the day in constructing fortifications and the rudiments of the camp.
From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson
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