In the field of construction and engineering, construction is a process that involves building or assembling infrastructure. It involves using a detailed plan and designing and integrating a variety of materials and building materials.
There are four major types of construction which is – residential building, institutional and commercial building, specialized industrial construction, infrastructure and heavy construction.
Let’s explore some common terms associated with building construction along with their meaning.
Construction Vocabulary Words List A to Z
Following is a list of words related to construction industry that every contractor should know:
| Word | Meaning |
| aggregate | A particulate material which is made up of sand or crushed stone. |
| backfilling | The process of refilling trenches or holes created during excavation, especially around foundations. |
| beam | Beams run horizontally along the main walls of a building at ceiling level, supporting the structure. |
| beam | A piece of wood, steel or other material that runs across the structure of a building to hold weight. |
| bim | Building Information Modeling is the process of creating a computer model of a building that includes all of the details of that structure, from its basic layout to the smallest measurements. |
| blueprint | The design or drawing that shows the plan for a building or other structure, such as a house. |
| boq | The bill of quantities is a contract document that contains a list of materials and workmanship involved in a construction project. |
| brick | Brick work for construction |
| bricklayer | A person who builds walls, structures and pathways with bricks. |
| bulldozer | Bulldozer for lifting or breaking heavy objects |
| cad | The computer-aided design refers to using architecture software to create detailed models of buildings |
| carpenter | Carpenter work for furnishing interiors |
| ceiling joist | Parallel framing members that support ceiling loads and are themselves supported by load-bearing walls. |
| circuit breaker | A switch in the electrical panel that shuts off power to certain parts of the building. |
| commercial property | A commercial property is a property that’s intended for non-residential buildings. In other words, it should be used for a business, not for living. |
| concrete | A building material created by a hardened mixture of cement, gravel, sand, and water. It is used for slabs, columns, and other types of structures. |
| construction site | The place where a structure is being built. |
| contractor | A contractor is a person or company who provides services for a specific job. |
| crane | Crane for lifting heavy material |
| demolition | Demolition of existing building or room |
| dimension | A dimension is used in the planning stage and refers to a measure between two points. |
| drywall | A panel made from gypsum plaster that is wrapped in cardboard. |
| ducts | Piping that carries air throughout a structure. |
| Dump truck | This is a large truck that has an open back, which can be filled with trash and debris. |
| egress | A way of exiting a structure, such as a window or door. |
| electrician | A person who installs the electric wires of a building or structure. |
| field measure | Taking measurements within the structure itself rather than relying on blueprints. |
| floor plan | The floor plan refers to the layout of the building. |
| general contractor | The person or company responsible for everyday work of all members on a construction site. |
| girder | The main horizontal support of a structure that supports smaller beams. |
| hard hat | Hard hat for safety |
| horizontal | The left-to-right or side-to-side direction. |
| hvac | An abbreviation that stands for heat, ventilation, and air conditioning. |
| I beam | A beam that has a cross-section that looks like the capital letter I. Girders often have an I-beam cross-section. |
| insulation | Material that’s designed to prevent heat from leaving or entering a building. |
| joist | The location where the surfaces of two components are joined. |
| joist | A supportive beam of wood or metal in a building. Usually, it runs parallel to the ceiling or floor. |
| king stud | A framing member that runs from the bottom to the top of a panel or sheet. |
| ladder | A ladder has steps or bars to allow people to climb up and down. |
| lath | A metal wire on the frame of a building that serves as a base for laying down stucco or plaster. |
| load bearing wall | A partition or load-bearing wall carries the load of the structure above it. |
| mortar | In masonry, mortar is the paste that is used to bind stones, bricks, and other similar types of units used to construct the walls of a building. |
| particle board | A substitute for plywood that is composed of sawdust mixed with resin. |
| plumber | Plumber for looking after the interest of plumbing jobs |
| plywood | A panel of wood that is made from multiple layers of veneer, compressed together. |
| property | You probably know the general English term “property,” referring to someone’s belongings. In construction, a property is a specific piece of land—often including the building or buildings on that land. |
| pvc | Short for polyvinyl chloride, this common plastic is used most commonly for water pipes and sometimes for flooring. |
| rafter | A series of roof frame pieces that are connected to the supports and hold up the roofing and sheathing. |
| reconstruct | To build again, often after a structure has been damaged. |
| reinforced concrete | Concrete that is strengthened by adding steel bars or mesh within the concrete. |
| remodel | To change the inner structure of a building |
| renovate | Similar but slightly different from “remodel.” |
| roofer | This person is responsible for building the roof of a building or structure. |
| scalffolding | Scaffolding for repairing front elevation of a building |
| section | This is a drawing or model that shows what it would look like if you sliced vertically through a building and were able to see its various components or layers, showcasing exactly how a building is constructed top to bottom. |
| shovel | This is a tool used to pick up dirt, sand, gravel and snow. |
| skirting | Material that covers up the joint between the floor and a wall in the interior of a building, for aesthetic purposes. |
| steeplejack | A person who climbs tall structures and buildings to clean them and make repairs. |
| stonemason | A person who builds and works with stone. |
| stucco | A material made from aggregates, a binder, and water. |
| surveyor | A person who investigates land to see if it’s possible to build there. |
| trim | The materials used to provide a clean finish of the building |
| veneer | A very thin sheet of wood. |
| vertical | The up-to-down or top-to-bottom direction. |
| warping | A distortion of material, which can be a sign of water damage. |
| wheelbarrow | A device used to move material such as rocks or soil from one place to another. |
| zoning | A government regulation that involves restricting how a property is used. |
We hope that after learning these words you’ll be able to clearly understand the conversation related to construction.
Quick Links
| Civil Engineering Vocabulary Words |