concrete

1 of 3

adjective

con·​crete (ˌ)kän-ˈkrēt 

ˈkän-ˌkrēt,

kən-ˈkrēt 

1

: naming a real thing or class of things

the word poem is concrete, poetry is abstract

2

: formed by coalition of particles into one solid mass

3

a

: characterized by or belonging to immediate experience of actual things or events

b

: specific, particular

a concrete proposal

c

: real, tangible

concrete evidence

4

: relating to or made of concrete

a concrete wall

concretely adverb

concreteness noun

concrete

2 of 3

verb

con·​crete ˈkän-ˌkrēt  kän-ˈkrēt 

concreted; concreting

transitive verb

1

a

: to form into a solid mass : solidify

b

: combine, blend

2

: to make actual or real : cause to take on the qualities of reality

3

: to cover with, form of, or set in concrete

The statues were concreted to the ground.

intransitive verb

: to become concreted

concrete

3 of 3

noun

con·​crete ˈkän-ˌkrēt 

(ˌ)kän-ˈkrēt

1

: a mass formed by concretion or coalescence of separate particles of matter in one body

2

: a hard strong building material made by mixing a cementing material (such as Portland cement) and a mineral aggregate (such as sand and gravel) with sufficient water to cause the cement to set and bind the entire mass

3

: a waxy essence of flowers prepared by extraction and evaporation and used in perfumery

Did you know?

We can trace "concrete" back to the Latin verb concrescere, meaning "to grow together." Appropriately, when it first entered English "concrete" could mean "connected by growth." Logicians and grammarians also applied "concrete" to words that expressed a quality viewed as being united with the thing it describes. That in turn led to the sense of "concrete" which we now contrast with "abstract"—concrete words express actual things ("rock," "lizard, "harpsichord"), while abstract words express qualities apart from actual things ("bliss," "freedom," "turpitude"). It was not until the 19th century that the noun "concrete," and its related adjective, began to be used for the building material composed of cementing material and sand, gravel, or similar materials.

Synonyms

Adjective

• actual
• de facto
• effective
• existent
• factual
• genuine
• real
• sure-enough
• true
• very

Verb

• congeal
• firm (up)
• freeze
• harden
• indurate
• set
• solidify

Examples of concrete in a Sentence

Adjective

It's helpful to have concrete examples of how words are used in context.

We hope the meetings will produce concrete results.

Verb

the mortar slowly concreted in the mold

a choral work that concretes music and dance into a stunning theatrical experience

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

But with the Bills' two-game lead on Jackson's Baltimore Ravens and a receiving corps still transitioning without Stefon Diggs, Allen's case has become more concrete. —Sean Treppedi, Newsweek, 14 Dec. 2024

As for supporting letters, many argued that there is no concrete reason laid out as to why the council has moved to oust Branch, stating this isn’t the time for such an action. —Arlyssa D. Becenti, The Arizona Republic, 14 Dec. 2024

Verb

Reuters reported one member of the group concreted himself to the street while others stuck themselves to it, using what looked like to be the same method adopted in Thursday's airport disruptions. —Peter Aitken, Fox News, 14 July 2023

These stipulations have helped concrete over huge chunks of America—there are between three and six car parking spaces per car in the US, numbering up to 2 billion in total, according to some estimates. —Oliver Milman, WIRED, 7 Jan. 2023

Noun

While the description of what the recoil overhaul will include is vague, the reasons behind launching this on the ETS are a little more concrete. —Mike Stubbs, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024

Squeeze out every last drib of space, pare back energy costs, and whittle down every extra pound of concrete and steel until your design is as lean as a racehorse. —Justin Davidson, Curbed, 12 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English concret "(of words) denoting a quality as adherent in a substance rather than in isolation," borrowed from Medieval Latin concrētus "composite, solidified, (of words) denoting a quality adherent in a substance rather than in isolation," going back to Latin, "formed, composite, condensed, solid," from past participle of concrēscere "to coalesce, condense, solidify, harden" — more at concrescence

Verb

borrowed from Latin concrētus, past participle of concrēscere "to coalesce, condense, solidify, harden" — more at concrescence

Noun

derivative of concrete entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1590, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing concrete

• concrete jungle
• concrete mixer
• concrete music
• concrete poetry
• reinforced concrete

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

Kids Definition

concrete

1 of 3 adjective

con·​crete (ˈ)kän-ˈkrēt  kən- 

ˈkän-ˌkrēt

1

: naming a real thing or class of things : not abstract

"book" is a concrete noun but "goodness" is not

2

a

: belonging to or based on actual experience

concrete examples

b

: material entry 1 sense 1, real

concrete evidence

3

ˈkän-ˌkrēt,

kän-ˈkrēt

: relating to or made of concrete

a concrete wall

concretely adverb

concreteness noun

concrete

2 of 3 verb

con·​crete ˈkän-ˌkrēt  (ˈ)kän-ˈkrēt 

concreted; concreting

1

: solidify

2

: to cover with, form of, or set in concrete

concrete

3 of 3 noun

con·​crete ˈkän-ˌkrēt 

(ˈ)kän-ˈkrēt

: a hard strong building material made by mixing cement, sand, and gravel or broken rock with water