Engineering English
Concrete
Civil Engineering · Last updated: July 30, 2026 · How this entry was written
Definition: A construction material made of cement, water, and aggregates that hardens into a stone-like mass strong in compression but weak in tension.
Example in context
“The concrete for the bridge deck reached its specified strength after twenty-eight days of curing.”
“Köprü tabliyesi için dökülen beton, yirmi sekiz günlük kür sonunda öngörülen dayanımına ulaştı.”
Where engineers use it
Concrete dominates civil construction, from foundations to dams; engineers specify its mix, strength class, and durability requirements, then control placing, compaction, and curing to achieve the design properties.
Practice: can you use “Concrete” at work?
A cube test result comes back below the specified strength; describe the possible causes and the steps you would take before accepting or rejecting the pour.
Show a model answer
“Concrete is strong in compression but needs steel to resist tension.”
“Concrete” in 21 languages
| English | Concrete |
|---|---|
| Turkish | Beton |
| French | Béton |
| German | Beton |
| Spanish | Hormigón |
| Chinese | 混凝土 |
| Arabic | خرسانة |
| Portuguese | Concreto |
| Russian | Бетон |
| Japanese | コンクリート |
| Italian | Calcestruzzo |
| Vietnamese | Bê tông |
| Hindi | कंक्रीट |
| Thai | คอนกรีต |
| Indonesian | Beton |
| Korean | 콘크리트 |
| Bengali | কংক্রিট |
| Dutch | Beton |
| Swedish | Betong |
| Finnish | Betoni |
| Ukrainian | Бетон |
Frequently asked questions
What does Concrete mean in engineering?
A construction material made of cement, water, and aggregates that hardens into a stone-like mass strong in compression but weak in tension. In Civil Engineering, the term carries a usage-frequency rating of 10/10 in the Engineering English library.
How do you pronounce Concrete?
Concrete is pronounced /ˈkɒŋkriːt/ (IPA). The Engineering English app plays audio for the term and checks your pronunciation with speech recognition.
How is Concrete used in a sentence?
Example from an engineering context: “The concrete for the bridge deck reached its specified strength after twenty-eight days of curing.”
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