CultureAugust 4, 2026

formwork

FORM-wurk

Definition

The temporary molds or structures constructed to hold wet concrete in place until it hardens into the desired shape.

Etymology

The word is a compound of 'form' (from the Latin 'forma', meaning shape or mold) and 'work' (from the Old English 'weorc', meaning labor or construction). It describes the physical labor of creating a temporary shape for building materials.

In the news

In this article, the architects used purpose-made formwork to emboss a specific geometric pattern directly into the concrete frame of the building as it was being poured.

SHIN NAKANO trapezoidal

Read the full article ↗

v2com newswire

Related words

Learn a word like this every day

Meet one new word every morning.

Newspoken pulls one carefully chosen word from the day’s news — with a clear definition, context, and light review that makes it stick. Get it on your phone.