masonry

noun

ma·​son·​ry ˈmā-sᵊn-rē How to pronounce masonry (audio)
plural masonries
1
a
: something constructed of materials used by masons
b
: the art, trade, or occupation of a mason
c
: work done by a mason
2
Masonry : freemasonry

Examples of masonry in a Sentence

a structure built of masonry
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
By the time firefighters arrived on the scene, the unreinforced masonry building was fully engulfed and flames had already burned through the roof. — Linda Zavoral, Mercury News, 26 Aug. 2026 Down in the Keys, Dry Tortugas National Park has grappled with deteriorating historic masonry and failing dock systems, threatening the safety of tens of thousands of visitors who visit the park’s remote Fort Jefferson each year. — Lulu Vilas, Sun Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2026 The building seems even more solid than the other projects here due to its massive masonry pier that holds the corner of Mozart and Diversey Avenue. — Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026 About $250,000 of that increase came from construction of a new masonry wall that was not included in the original agreement. — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for masonry

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of masonry was in the 13th century

Rhymes for masonry

See All Rhymes for masonry

Browse Nearby Words

mason jar
masonry
masonry cement
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Masonry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/masonry. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

masonry

noun
ma·​son·​ry ˈmās-ᵊn-rē How to pronounce masonry (audio)
plural masonries
1
: something built of stone, brick, or concrete
2
: the art, trade, or occupation of a mason
3
: the work done by a mason

More from Merriam-Webster on masonry

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about masonry

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of dissonant

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All