masonry
- 01 C1 Advanced
the parts of a building made of stone, brick, or concrete blocks.
the physical structures or components of a building constructed from stone, brick, or similar durable materials.
Simple“The old church has beautiful masonry that has lasted for hundreds of years.”
In context“The restoration project focused on repairing the crumbling masonry of the cathedral's exterior, which had been damaged by decades of acid rain.”
UsageOften used as an uncountable noun to refer to the material or the craft in general.
Synonymsstoneworkbrickwork - 02 C1 Advanced
the skill or job of building things with stone and brick.
the trade, craft, or occupation of a mason.
Simple“He spent five years learning the art of masonry from his father.”
In context“Traditional masonry requires a deep understanding of how different types of stone react to pressure and weather over time.”
UsageUncountable when referring to the profession or skill set.
Synonymsstoneworkingcraftsmanship - 03 C2 Proficiency
the secret society and traditions of the Freemasons.
the institutions, rituals, and principles of the Freemasons.
Simple“The local museum has an exhibit about the history of masonry in this city.”
In context“The influence of masonry on the city's early political elite is evident in the symbols carved into the town hall.”
UsageUsually capitalized as 'Masonry' when referring specifically to the organization.
Synonymsfreemasonry
“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.”
“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.”
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.