construct
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to build something large or complex by putting different parts together.
v.to build or assemble a physical structure from various components. Transitive — requires a direct object.
Simple“The company plans to construct a new bridge over the river next year.”
In context“The engineers had to construct a temporary support system before they could begin repairing the damaged foundation of the skyscraper.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to create an argument, a sentence, or a theory by organizing your thoughts.
v.to formulate or compose an abstract entity, such as a logical argument or a grammatical sentence, by arranging constituent parts.
Simple“You need to construct a clear argument for your essay.”
In context“The philosopher spent years attempting to construct a coherent ethical framework that could be applied to modern technological dilemmas.”
- 03 C1 Advanced
v.to draw a geometric shape accurately using tools like a ruler.
v.to draw a geometric figure according to precise specifications using mathematical instruments.
Simple“The teacher showed us how to construct a perfect hexagon using a compass.”
In context“Students were required to construct a series of intersecting arcs to determine the exact centre of the irregular polygon.”
- 04 C1 Advanced
n.an idea or theory that is created by people rather than being a physical fact.
n.a complex idea or mental model formed from a number of simpler elements. Often used to describe social or psychological theories.
Simple“Many researchers believe that gender is a social construct rather than just a biological one.”
In context“The study examines the psychological construct of 'grit' and its impact on long-term academic achievement in urban schools.”
UsageThe stress is on the first syllable (CON-struct) when used as a noun.
- 05 C2 Proficiency
n.a piece of genetic material made in a lab to be put into a cell.
n.an artificially created segment of nucleic acid designed for transplantation into a target cell or tissue.
Simple“The scientists inserted the DNA construct into the bacteria to see if it would glow.”
In context“The researchers developed a novel genetic construct to enhance the expression of specific proteins within the transgenic plant species.”
Usage construct model · construct representation · construct theory
“Photograph: Minnow Productions Adamou said that ADHD was both a social construct and a brain disorder.”
“Workers construct the pool’s ‘membrane’ using fabric and asphalt.”
Borrowed from Latin cōnstrūctus, from cōnstruō (“to heap together”), from com- (“together”) + struō (“to heap up, pile”). Doublet of construe.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.