construct — English Dictionary

Noun

1. Something constructed from parts.

   Examples

   The artwork was a construct of wire and tubes.

   Loops and conditional statements are constructs in computer programming.

2. A concept or model.

   Examples

   Bohr's theoretical construct of the atom was soon superseded by quantum mechanics.

3. A segment of nucleic acid, created artificially, for transplantation into a target cell or tissue.

Verb

1. To build or form (something) by assembling parts.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   We constructed the radio from spares.

   A wall constructed of random stones.

   More examples (1)

   The Carnarvonshire Railway was incorporated by an Act of July 29, 1862, with powers to construct a standard-gauge line from the Bangor & Carnarvon at Caernarvon [1958 spelling] to Portmadoc, a distance of 27¾ miles, but only the centre portion, from Penygroes to Afonwen, 11¾ miles, was built.

2. To build (a sentence, an argument, etc.) by arranging words or ideas.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   A sentence may be constructed with a subject, verb and object.

   More examples (1)

   The Vietnam War films are forms of memory that function to provide collective rememberings, to construct history, and to subsume within them the experience of the veterans.

3. To draw (a geometric figure) by following precise specifications and using geometric tools and techniques.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   Construct a circle that touches each vertex of the given triangle.

   The arc of a circle may be very little, but, given that, it is possible to construct the entire figure.

Noun

1. an abstract or general idea inferred or derived from specific instances

   Synonyms

   conceptconception

   Broader terms

   ideathought

Verb

1. make by combining materials and parts

   Synonyms

   buildmake

   Broader terms

   makecreate

   Examples

   this little pig made his house out of straw

   Some eccentric constructed an electric brassiere warmer

2. put together out of artificial or natural components or parts

   Synonyms

   manufacturefabricate

   Broader terms

   make

   Examples

   the company fabricates plastic chairs

   They manufacture small toys

   More examples (1)

   He manufactured a popular cereal

3. draw with suitable instruments and under specified conditions

   Broader terms

   tracedrawlinedescribedelineate

   Examples

   construct an equilateral triangle

4. create by linking linguistic units

   Broader terms

   create by mental actcreate mentally

   Examples

   construct a sentence

   construct a paragraph

5. create by organizing and linking ideas, arguments, or concepts

   Broader terms

   create by mental actcreate mentally

   Examples

   construct a proof

   construct an argument

6. reassemble mentally

   Synonyms

   reconstructretrace

   Broader terms

   speculatetheorizetheoriseconjecturehypothesizehypothesisehypothecatesuppose

   Examples

   reconstruct the events of 20 years ago