1 VERB If you construct something such as a building, road, or machine, you build it or make it. □ [V n] The company is constructing 70 homes and a 130-room hotel on the land. □ [be V -ed + from/of/out of ] The boxes should be constructed from rough-sawn timber. □ [V -ed] They thought he had escaped through a specially-constructed tunnel.
2 VERB If you construct something such as an idea, a piece of writing, or a system, you create it by putting different parts together. □ [V n] He eventually constructed a business empire which ran to Thailand and Singapore. □ [be V -ed + from/out of ] The novel is constructed from a series of on-the-spot reports. □ [V -ed] …using carefully-constructed tests.
con|struc|tion ◆◇◇ /kənstrʌ kʃ ə n/ (constructions )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Construction is the building of things such as houses, factories, roads, and bridges. □ He'd already started construction on a hunting lodge. □ …the only nuclear power station under construction in Britain. □ …the downturn in the construction industry.
2 N‑UNCOUNT The construction of something such as a vehicle or machine is the making of it. □ [+ of ] …companies who have long experience in the construction of those types of equipment. □ With the exception of teak, this is the finest wood for boat construction.
3 N‑UNCOUNT [with poss] The construction of something such as a system is the creation of it. □ [+ of ] …the construction of a just system of criminal justice.
4 N‑COUNT You can refer to an object that has been built or made as a construction . □ The British pavilion is an impressive steel and glass construction the size of Westminster Abbey.
5 N‑UNCOUNT You use construction to refer to the structure of something and the way it has been built or made. □ The Shakers believed that furniture should be plain, simple, useful, practical and of sound construction. □ The chairs were light in construction yet extremely strong.
6 N‑COUNT A grammatical construction is a particular arrangement of words in a sentence, clause, or phrase. □ Avoid complex verbal constructions.
con|struc|tive /kənstrʌ kt I v/ ADJ A constructive discussion, comment, or approach is useful and helpful rather than negative and unhelpful. □ She welcomes constructive criticism. □ After their meeting, both men described the talks as frank, friendly and constructive.
con|stru c|tive di s|mi s|sal N‑UNCOUNT If an employee claims constructive dismissal , they begin a legal action against their employer in which they claim that they were forced to leave their job because of the behaviour of their employer. [BUSINESS ] □ The woman claims she was the victim of constructive dismissal after being demoted.
con|struc|tor /kənstrʌ ktə r / (constructors ) N‑COUNT A racing car constructor or aircraft constructor is a company that builds racing cars or aircraft.
con|strue /kənstruː / (construes , construing , construed ) VERB If something is construed in a particular way, its nature or meaning is interpreted in that way. [FORMAL ] □ [be V -ed + as ] What may seem helpful behaviour to you can be construed as interference by others. □ [V n + as ] He may construe the approach as a hostile act. □ [V n prep/adv] We are taught to construe these terms in a particular way.
con|sul /kɒ ns ə l/ (consuls ) N‑COUNT A consul is an official who is sent by his or her government to live in a foreign city in order to look after all the people there that belong to his or her own country.
con|su|lar /kɒ nsjʊlə r , [AM ] -sə-/ ADJ [ADJ n] Consular means involving or relating to a consul or the work of a consul. □ If you need to return to the U.K. quickly, British Consular officials may be able to arrange it.
con|su|late /kɒ nsjʊlət, [AM ] -sə-/ (consulates ) N‑COUNT A consulate is the place where a consul works. □ They managed to make contact with the British consulate in Lyons.
con|sult ◆◇◇ /kənsʌ lt/ (consults , consulting , consulted )
1 VERB If you consult an expert or someone senior to you or consult with them, you ask them for their opinion and advice about what you should do or their permission to do something. □ [V n] Consult your doctor about how much exercise you should attempt. □ [V + with ] He needed to consult with an attorney. □ [V n] If you are in any doubt, consult a financial adviser.
2 VERB If a person or group of people consults with other people or consults them, they talk and exchange ideas and opinions about what they might decide to do. □ [V + with ] After consulting with her daughter and manager she decided to take on the part, on her terms. □ [V n] The two countries will have to consult their allies. □ [V ] The umpires consulted quickly.
3 VERB If you consult a book or a map, you look in it or look at it in order to find some information. □ [V n] Consult the chart on page 44 for the correct cooking times. SYNONYMS consult VERB 2
confer: He conferred with Hill and the others in his office.
debate: He likes to debate issues with his friends.
deliberate: The jury deliberated about two hours before returning with the verdict.
discuss: The cabinet met today to discuss how to respond to the ultimatum.
con|sul|tan|cy /kənsʌ ltənsi/ (consultancies )
1 N‑COUNT A consultancy is a company that gives expert advice on a particular subject. □ A survey of 57 hospitals by Newchurch, a consultancy, reveals striking improvements.