Word
masonry
Phoneticsma·son·ry, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈmeɪsənɹi/
UK/mˈeɪsɒnɹi/
Definitions
01stonework or brickwork
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Technical
n. the parts of a building made of stone, brick, or concrete blocks.
n. the physical structures or components of a building constructed from stone, brick, or similar durable materials.
“The old church has beautiful masonry that has lasted for hundreds of years.”
“The restoration project focused on repairing the crumbling masonry of the cathedral's exterior, which had been damaged by decades of acid rain.”
Usage
Often used as an uncountable noun to refer to the material or the craft in general.
Synonyms
02the craft of building
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Technical
n. the skill or job of building things with stone and brick.
n. the trade, craft, or occupation of a mason.
“He spent five years learning the art of masonry from his father.”
“Traditional masonry requires a deep understanding of how different types of stone react to pressure and weather over time.”
Usage
Uncountable when referring to the profession or skill set.
Synonyms
03Freemasonry
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Religion Formal
n. the secret society and traditions of the Freemasons.
n. the institutions, rituals, and principles of the Freemasons.
“The local museum has an exhibit about the history of masonry in this city.”
“The influence of masonry on the city's early political elite is evident in the symbols carved into the town hall.”
Usage
Usually capitalized as 'Masonry' when referring specifically to the organization.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“When a wildfire reaches historic masonry buildings – stone, brick and block structures that have stood for centuries – the first photographs tell a simple story: Everything is black and looks ruined.” “Engineers had to account for the stresses of freeze-thaw cycles, which can gradually damage waterproofing layers, crack concrete and masonry, and create leaks.” “When the waves encounter structures with different properties than the surrounding soil, such as masonry or other traces of human activity, the signals are reflected back to the receiver.” “They were also limited to certain professions, including carpentry, rope-making, masonry, and tiling.” Etymology
From Middle English masonry, masonrie, partly from Old French maçonerie and partly from mason + -ry.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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