Construction Materials Glossary

noun a mixture or combination

• The admixture of different cultures in the city has created a diverse and vibrant community.
• I love the admixture of flavors in this dish, it's so delicious!
• The party was a wild admixture of people from all walks of life.
• His speech was an admixture of truth and exaggeration, making it hard to discern what was real.

noun a cylindrical container, typically bulging at the center, made of wooden staves with metal hoops around them

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• The barrel was filled with wine and sealed for aging.
• I found a barrel of pickles in the pantry.
• Let's go to the bar and shoot some barrels.
• She's really scraping the bottom of the barrel with that excuse.

noun a physical block used in construction

• The concept of DNA as the building block of life is widely accepted in the scientific community.
• In coding, variables are like the building blocks that you use to create your program.
• These basic math skills are the building blocks for more advanced concepts in algebra.
• Trust is the building block of any strong relationship.

noun the quality of being rough or harsh in texture or manner

• The coarseness of the sandpaper was perfect for smoothing out the rough edges of the wood.
• I don't like the coarseness of this towel, it feels scratchy on my skin.
• The coarseness of her attitude was really off-putting.
• The coarseness of his language was a reflection of his lack of refinement.

noun a thin layer covering something

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• The coating on the metal surface prevents it from rusting.
• I love the chocolate coating on these donuts.
• That car has a sick matte black coating on it.
• Her kindness was like a protective coating against negativity.

noun constituent parts or elements of a larger whole

• The engineer explained the function of each of the components in the circuit.
• I'm not sure how all these components fit together in this project.
• Dude, these components are key to making this work properly.
• In a team, each member plays a different role like components in a machine.

noun a series of ridges, furrows, or grooves that are formed in a material such as metal or cardboard

• The corrugation of the cardboard box provides added strength for shipping.
• I love the look of corrugated metal on old barns.
• That corrugation on the road always gives my car a bumpy ride.
• The corrugation of his brow showed his deep concentration.

noun a private road leading up to a house or garage

• The driveway of the mansion was lined with beautiful flowers and perfectly trimmed hedges.
• I parked my car in the driveway and ran inside to grab my keys.
• Let's hang out in the driveway and chill for a bit.
• The driveway to success is paved with hard work and determination.

noun the process of removing moisture from something

verb the action of removing moisture from something

• The drying process must be carefully monitored to ensure proper moisture levels are reached.
• I left the laundry out on the line for drying, hopefully it doesn't rain.
• I'm just gonna toss these clothes in the dryer for a quick drying sesh.
• His tears were like a never-ending river, never fully drying up.

noun dietary material containing substances such as cellulose, lignin, and pectin, which are resistant to the action of digestive enzymes

• Dietary fibre is essential for maintaining a healthy digestive system.
• Make sure to eat foods high in fibre to keep your gut happy.
• I need to up my fibre intake to stay regular.
• The fibre of our community is woven together by strong bonds of friendship.

noun a person who is strong and able to endure difficult conditions or situations

adjective able to endure difficult conditions or situations

• The hardy plant was able to withstand the harsh winter conditions.
• My hardy grandmother is still gardening at 90 years old.
• Those hardy hikers made it to the top of the mountain in record time.
• Her hardy spirit helped her overcome many obstacles in life.

noun molten rock expelled by a volcano during an eruption

• The lava from the volcano flowed down the mountainside, destroying everything in its path.
• Dude, did you see that lava flow? It was insane!
• The lava was lit, bro!
• Her anger bubbled up inside her like molten lava.

adjective not allowing the passage of air, water, or other fluids

• The nonporous surface of the countertop makes it easy to clean.
• I prefer using nonporous containers for storing food.
• Dude, that nonporous phone case is so sleek!
• Her nonporous demeanor made it hard to know what she was really feeling.

noun a decorative covering of wood or other material applied to a wall

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• The paneling in the conference room was made of high-quality wood.
• I love the paneling in your living room, it adds a nice touch.
• Check out the cool paneling in that dude's basement, it's lit.
• The paneling of lies he presented during the meeting was quickly exposed.

verb to cover a surface with a hard, flat material such as concrete or asphalt

• The city council decided to invest in paved roads to improve the infrastructure.
• I love riding my bike on freshly paved roads.
• The new skate park has some really smooth paved areas to ride on.
• Her dedication and hard work paved the way for her success.

noun a system of pipes used for conveying fluids

adjective related to pipes or piping

• The engineer inspected the piping system for any leaks or damages.
• I heard a strange noise coming from the piping under the sink.
• I'm going to grab a wrench and fix the piping myself.
• Her voice was so loud, it cut through the room like piping through a construction site.

noun a sticky flammable organic substance, insoluble in water, exuded by some trees and other plants

• The artist used a special type of resin to preserve the delicate details of the sculpture.
• I heard that resin is a popular material for making custom jewelry.
• I'm loving the resin coasters you made, they're so cool!
• His words were like resin, sticking in my mind long after he had spoken.

noun a substance that slows down or prevents a particular process or reaction

adjective having the quality of slowing down or preventing a particular process or reaction

• The fire retardant material helped slow down the spread of the flames.
• Make sure to use the fire retardant spray before starting the bonfire.
• I heard this new fabric is super retardant against stains.
• His calm demeanor acted as a retardant against the chaos around him.

noun the act of saving or rescuing something from danger or destruction

verb to save or rescue something from danger or destruction

• The salvage operation successfully recovered the sunken ship from the ocean floor.
• We managed to salvage some parts from the old car before we sent it to the junkyard.
• I'm going to try and salvage this relationship, even though things are tough right now.
• She tried to salvage her reputation after the scandal by issuing a public apology.

noun a small piece or fragment, especially of something discarded or left over

verb to discard or dispose of something as no longer useful or desirable

• The company decided to scrap the old project and start fresh with a new approach.
• Let's just scrap the whole idea and come up with something better.
• I'm gonna scrap this old car and get a new one.
• She had to scrap her original plan and come up with a new strategy on the spot.

noun a large rectangular piece of cotton or other fabric used as bedding or a covering for a bed

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• Please make sure to fill out the cover sheet before submitting your report.
• Can you pass me that sheet of paper over there?
• I need to cheat sheet for this test tomorrow.
• He was sweating so much, he looked like a wet sheet hanging on a clothesline.

verb to be thrifty or frugal, to use or provide something in a limited or insufficient amount

• The company is accused of skimping on safety measures to save costs.
• Don't skimp on the ingredients if you want the dish to taste good.
• Stop skimping on the fun, let's go all out tonight!
• She is skimping on her studies and it's starting to show in her grades.

noun a type of steel that is resistant to corrosion

adjective describing a material or surface that does not stain or rust

• The stainless steel appliances in the kitchen added a touch of elegance to the room.
• I love how easy it is to clean my stainless water bottle.
• That stainless watch is so shiny, I need to get one for myself.
• Her resolve was as strong and unyielding as stainless steel.

noun the dried stalks of grain, used especially as fodder or as material for thatching, packing, or weaving

• The farmer used straw to bed the animals in the barn.
• Can you pass me a straw so I can sip my drink?
• I don't have a straw to grasp at, I'm completely lost.
• She was clutching at straws trying to come up with an excuse.

noun the layer of soil beneath the topsoil, often consisting of clay, sand, and other materials

• The subsoil composition can greatly affect the quality of crops grown in a particular area.
• Make sure to dig deep into the subsoil before planting anything in your garden.
• I heard there's some good stuff buried in the subsoil over there.
• The subsoil of his mind was rich with untapped potential.

adjective describing something that has been baked or dried by the sun

• The sunbaked clay tiles on the roof helped regulate the temperature inside the house.
• After a day at the beach, my skin felt sunbaked and a little crispy.
• I can't believe how sunbaked my car gets parked out in the open all day.
• Her heart felt sunbaked after going through a difficult breakup.

noun a person or organization that provides a particular product or service

adjective pertaining to or relating to the act of supplying goods or services

• The supplier failed to deliver the materials on time, causing a delay in production.
• I need to contact my supplier to order more inventory for next month.
• I found a new supplier for cheap electronics, they have great deals.
• In life, friends can act as emotional suppliers, providing support in times of need.

noun the quality or state of being thick

adjective describing word that modifies a noun (e.g. thick)

• The thickness of the steel plate is crucial for its structural integrity.
• I can't believe the thickness of that sandwich, it's huge!
• Check out the thickness of those new sneakers, they're dope.
• The thickness of her accent showed she was a true native of the region.

noun a word (other than a pronoun) used to identify any of a class of people, places, or things

adjective a word or phrase naming an attribute, added to or grammatically related to a noun to modify or describe it

adverb a word or phrase that modifies or qualifies an adjective, verb, or other adverb

• The thickset man stood out in the crowd with his broad shoulders and muscular build.
• I saw a thickset guy at the gym lifting some heavy weights.
• That dude is so thickset, he could probably bench press a car!
• The thickset wall of silence between them prevented any meaningful communication.

noun a unit of weight equal to 2,000 pounds

adverb to a very large extent or degree

• The factory produces tons of steel each year.
• I have tons of homework to do tonight.
• I have tons of cash to blow at the mall.
• She has tons of love to give to those around her.

verb to make or become tougher or stronger

adjective strengthened or made more resilient

• The glass was toughened to withstand high impact.
• I toughened up after facing many challenges in life.
• She's been through a lot and has really toughened up.
• His experiences toughened his resolve and made him stronger.

adjective able to be easily carried or moved from one place to another

• The transportable medical equipment can easily be moved between different hospital wards.
• I love how this transportable grill makes it easy to have a barbecue anywhere.
• Check out this cool transportable speaker for our next beach party!
• Her ideas were so transportable that they spread quickly throughout the organization.

adjective undersized - smaller or less than the usual or normal size

• The undersized parcel of land was not suitable for building a large house.
• The undersized shirt was too tight around the chest.
• I can't believe they sold me this undersized phone case.
• Her undersized confidence held her back from pursuing her dreams.

adjective not able to be endured or tolerated for a long period of time

• The undurable quality of the material made it unsuitable for long-term use.
• I can't wear those shoes, they're undurable and fall apart too quickly.
• Don't buy that phone, it's undurable and breaks easily.
• His undurable patience finally snapped after hours of waiting.

adjective resistant to the effects of weather, such as rain or sunlight

• The weatherproof jacket kept me dry during the rainstorm.
• I love my weatherproof boots - they keep my feet warm and dry.
• These weatherproof pants are a game-changer for outdoor activities.
• Her resolve was weatherproof, unaffected by the storm of criticism.

verb to pump excessively or beyond what is necessary or recommended

• The engineers had to carefully monitor the water levels to ensure they did not overpump the reservoir.
• Don't overpump the inflatable pool or it might burst.
• Hey, don't overpump the tires on your bike, you'll pop them!
• She felt like she was overpumping her emotions, letting them overflow uncontrollably.

noun a person or thing that infiltrates, especially an unauthorized individual or substance entering a place surreptitiously

• The infiltrant was able to gain access to classified information.
• The infiltrant snuck into the building without anyone noticing.
• The infiltrant was a real ninja, slipping past security easily.
• Her charm was the perfect infiltrant into his guarded heart.

noun A type of hardwood tree native to Africa known for its durability and rich color.

• African teak is known for its durability and resistance to decay, making it a popular choice for outdoor furniture.
• I love the rich color of African teak wood in our backyard deck.
• That table is made of some high-quality African teak, it's gonna last forever!
• Her strength and resilience reminded me of African teak, standing tall and unwavering in the face of challenges.