Construction is a general term meaning the art and science to form objects, systems, or organizations, and comes from Latin constructio and Old French construction. The act of building, and the noun is construction: how something is built, the nature of its structure.

In its most widely used context, construction covers the processes involved in delivering buildings, infrastructure and industrial facilities, and associated activities through to the end of their life. It typically starts with planning, financing, and design, and continues until the asset is built and ready for use; construction also covers repairs and maintenance work, any works to expand, extend and improve the asset, and its eventual demolition, dismantling or decommissioning.