concrete

[kon-kreet, kong-, kon-kreet, kong- for 1–15, 10, 13, 14; kon-kreet, kong- for 11, 12] /ˈkɒn krit, ˈkɒŋ-, kɒnˈkrit, kɒŋ- for 1–15, 10, 13, 14; kɒnˈkrit, kɒŋ- for 11, 12/
adjective
1.
constituting an actual thing or instance; real:
a concrete proof of his sincerity.
2.
pertaining to or concerned with realities or actual instances rather than abstractions; particular (opposed to general):
concrete ideas.
3.
representing or applied to an actual substance or thing, as opposed to an abstract quality:
The words “cat,” “water,” and “teacher” are concrete, whereas the words “truth,” “excellence,” and “adulthood” are abstract.
4.
made of concrete:
a concrete pavement.
5.
formed by coalescence of separate particles into a mass; united in a coagulated, condensed, or solid mass or state.
noun
6.
an artificial, stonelike material used for various structural purposes, made by mixing cement and various aggregates, as sand, pebbles, gravel, or shale, with water and allowing the mixture to harden.
Compare reinforced concrete.
7.
any of various other artificial building or paving materials, as those containing tar.
8.
a concrete idea or term; a word or notion having an actual or existent thing or instance as its referent.
9.
a mass formed by coalescence or concretion of particles of matter.
verb (used with object), concreted, concreting.
10.
to treat or lay with concrete:
to concrete a sidewalk.
11.
to form into a mass by coalescence of particles; render solid.
12.
to make real, tangible, or particular.
verb (used without object), concreted, concreting.
13.
to coalesce into a mass; become solid; harden.
14.
to use or apply concrete.
Idioms
15.
set / cast in concrete, to put (something) in final form; finalize so as to prevent change or reversal:
The basic agreement sets in concrete certain policies.
Origin
1375-1425; late Middle English concret < Latin concrētus (past participle of concrēscere to grow together), equivalent to con- con- + crē- (stem of crēscere to grow, increase; see -esce) + -tus past participle ending
Related forms
concretely, adverb
concreteness, noun
concretive, adjective
concretively, adverb
unconcrete, adjective
unconcretely, adverb
unconcreted, adjective
Can be confused
cement, concrete, mortar.
Synonyms
1. solid, factual, substantial.
Antonyms
1, 2. abstract.
Examples from the web for concrete
  • Share with your reader the real-life problem that makes your abstract argument concrete.
  • For example, knowledge-an intangible, abstract concept-is often recast in terms of the concrete experience of sight.
  • concrete botanical structures look great in this garden.
  • And that wonderful table is not terrazzo but a slab of concrete.
  • After the concrete had cured for one month, she colored the squares using water-base concrete stains.
  • Offset platforms of pebbled concrete replaced the original straight concrete walkway.
  • Individual concrete pads create the illusion that they're hovering lightly above the desert floor.
  • Edged with concrete, the raised patio and its planter-retaining wall level the yard and make it more livable.
  • Warm-toned fabrics are similar in color to the walls, and green concrete fireplace tiles act as a counterpoint.
  • Sturdy concrete footing keeps the pillar from toppling.
British Dictionary definitions for concrete

concrete

/ˈkɒnkriːt/
noun
1.
  1. a construction material made of a mixture of cement, sand, stone, and water that hardens to a stonelike mass
  2. (as modifier): a concrete slab
2.
(physics) a rigid mass formed by the coalescence of separate particles
adjective
3.
relating to a particular instance or object; specific as opposed to general: a concrete example
4.
  1. relating to or characteristic of things capable of being perceived by the senses, as opposed to abstractions
  2. (as noun): the concrete
5.
formed by the coalescence of particles; condensed; solid
verb
6.
(transitive) to construct in or cover with concrete
7.
(kənˈkriːt). to become or cause to become solid; coalesce
Derived Forms
concretely, adverb
concreteness, noun
concretive, adjective
concretively, adverb
Word Origin
C14: from Latin concrētus grown together, hardened, from concrēscere; see concrescence
Word Origin and History for concrete
adj.

late 14c., "actual, solid," from Latin concretus "condensed, hardened, thick, hard, stiff, curdled, congealed, clotted," figuratively "thick; dim," literally "grown together;" past participle of concrescere "to grow together," from com- "together" (see com-) + crescere "to grow" (see crescent). A logicians' term until meaning began to expand 1600s. Noun sense of "building material made from cement, etc." is first recorded 1834.

concrete in Medicine

concrete con·crete (kŏn-krēt', kŏn'krēt')
adj.

  1. Relating to an actual, specific thing or instance; particular.

  2. Existing in reality or in real experience; perceptible by the senses; real.

  3. Relating to a material thing or group of things as opposed to an abstraction.

  4. Formed by the coalescence of separate particles or parts into one mass; solid.