ENGLISH
REFERENCE

constructing

v. · n.
US //kənˈstɹəktɪŋ// UK //kənstɹˈʌktɪŋ// con·struct·ing
  1. 1 building a structure (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    building or putting together something large, like a bridge or a house.

    the act of building or erecting a physical structure. Transitive; requires a direct object representing the entity being built.

    Example

    They are constructing a new office building in the city centre.

    Example

    Constructing the suspension bridge required innovative engineering techniques to withstand the high winds of the coastal valley.

    Usage

    Often used in the continuous tense to describe ongoing infrastructure projects.
  2. 2 creating an idea or sentence (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Academic

    creating an idea, a theory, or a sentence by putting different parts together.

    the process of forming a mental or linguistic entity by combining various elements or arguments.

    Example

    The students are practicing constructing complex sentences in their English class.

    Example

    The philosopher spent years constructing a logical framework that could account for both ethical intuition and rational self-interest.

    Usage

    Common in academic contexts when discussing theories, arguments, or grammatical structures.
    • deconstructing
  3. 3 the act of building (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    the process or act of building something.

    the action or process of construction. Used as a gerund noun to focus on the activity itself.

    Example

    The constructing of the monument took over ten years to finish.

    Example

    The careful constructing of his public image was essential to his political success during the election cycle.

Last updated June 20, 2026