concrete

[ kon-kreet, kong-, kon-kreet, kong- kon-kreet, kong- ]

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. Compare reinforced concrete.
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.

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)

, con·cret·ed, con·cret·ing.

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)

, con·cret·ed, con·cret·ing.

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.

concrete

/ 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

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. kənˈkriːt to become or cause to become solid; coalesce

Derived Forms

• conˈcretively, adverb
• ˈconcretely, adverb
• conˈcretive, adjective
• ˈconcreteness, noun

Other Words From

• con·crete·ly adverb
• con·crete·ness noun
• con·cre·tive adjective
• con·cre·tive·ly adverb
• un·con·crete adjective
• un·con·crete·ly adverb
• un·con·cret·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of concrete¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of concrete¹

C14: from Latin concrētus grown together, hardened, from concrēscere; see concrescence

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. set / cast in concrete. stone ( def 33 ).

Example Sentences

It’s a decision thousands of people in the concrete jungle, and other urban centers, have had to make.

From Fortune

Most existing 3D printed buildings are made of an enriched and reinforced concrete mixture, but Mighty Buildings developed its own synthetic stone to print with.

From Singularity Hub 

We were able to include $300 million for the EPA to make concrete improvements to the local infrastructure to clean up these rivers.

From Voice of San Diego

Then different power companies might contract with different concrete companies, offering different prices or value of that work.

From Voice of San Diego

While the report may not offer much new information, it’s one of few concrete guidances available to US educators.

From Quartz

As a writer, I tried mainly to stick close to the concrete particulars of the events and the performances I was describing.

From The Daily Beast

Finally, I hope we can share concrete actions with those who attend, and want to help in the global LGBTI liberation struggle.

From The Daily Beast

It was the most common and concrete opportunity to do unto others as you would wish to have done unto you.

From The Daily Beast

What had seemed to be a theoretical and almost mythical project is just about to take concrete form.

From The Daily Beast

D.C., but it is not likely to result in any concrete and meaningful action.

From The Daily Beast

He will find that “Ice” is a concrete word, and “Slippery” indicates a quality of “Ice” and of other things.

From Project Gutenberg

Then crouching low, he crossed the room to where the strainer top of the sewer drain was placed in the concrete floor.

From Project Gutenberg

He crossed the room to the concrete ramp that twisted up to the second story.

From Project Gutenberg

When Dr. McAllister drove into his yard he found a boy washing the concrete drives as calmly as if nothing had happened.

From Project Gutenberg

But here it is arranged in temporal sequence, thus giving us a concrete view of the man and his relation to this society.

From Project Gutenberg