past and past participle
Built something by putting its parts together, often according to a plan, or been built in this way.
The company constructed a new bridge.
The highway was constructed with several lanes.
American English
How to pronounce constructed
verb · adjectiveB2Common word
kʰuhnSTRUHKtihd
/kʰənˈstɹək.tɪd̚/
3 syllables · Stress the second syllable.
Form of construct
Built something by putting its parts together, often according to a plan, or been built in this way.
What to listen for
The first vowel in “constructed” is unstressed and clear in the usual pronunciation. In natural connected speech, it may become very short, so the beginning can sound like “k’n-” before “struct.”
Meanings & examples
past and past participle
Created an idea, argument, sentence, or model by putting its parts together, or been created in this way.
She constructed a strong argument from the evidence.
The students constructed a model of the solar system.
past participle used as an adjective
Built by putting separate parts together, often according to a plan.
This model is well constructed and easy to repair.
The bridge is solidly constructed from recycled steel.
past participle used as an adjective
Created or organized by putting ideas, words, or other parts into a whole.
Her argument is carefully constructed from the available evidence.
The sentence is carefully constructed to avoid confusion.
Useful expressions
an idea or category shaped by society rather than fixed by nature
Gender is often discussed as a social construct.