“Glossary based on Civil

The civil engineer is a multi-phase professional because

Engineering degree” he can hold positions in different fields of work.

Ramos Castillo Sandro Therefore, it is imperative that the engineering student

Enrique has command of English so that when they become a

professional they receive good job offers both nationally

or even internationally.

Abacusn
/æb.ə.kəs/
Ábaco

Definition: Square stone or board that ends the capital of a
column to increase the area of contact between the
column and the beams, It was very used by the romans
Example: The abacus is a fundamental piece for the
construction in the area of columns and beams.
Definition: A sewer is a factory work destined to evacuate
domestic wastewater or other types of wastewater.
Example: The sewer is necessary to evacuate unnecessary
water in all construction.

Sewern
/sʊər/
Ledgen
/ledʒ/
Alcantarilla
Alfeizar
Definition: Bottom of the window or coronation of the sill, which /æŋ.ɡ l/ə

leaves uncovered the thickness of the wall or

wall. Angulo
Definition: Metallic profiles used in ornamentation and for the
construction of structural works.
Example: The sill is to give a design to the bottom of a window
Example: For structural works we must have angles

Anglen
 Finishn
/ˈfɪn.ɪʃ/ Haulagen
Acabado. /ˈhɔː.lɪdʒ/

Definition: Any completion of a job in which decorative elements Acarreo.

are used.
Definition: Transportation of materials from the evacation or
Example: the moldings on doors, windows, lintels, corners, etc. production sites
with all the work that Is done to finish the works
Example: The machinery removes the material from the work

Throttlen
/ˈθrɒt.əl/
Acelerador
Definition: substance that when added to concrete, mortar or Definition: installation of public service that goes from the
plaster, increases the hydration ratio of a hydraulic distribution network of the service company to the
cement, decreases the setting time or increases the building
hardening time
Example: with the task we take energy to the work
Example: It is used to accelerate the setting in concrete

Rushn Additivesn
/rʌʃ/ 
/ˈæd.ɪ.tɪv/
Acometida.
Aditivos.
Definition: Material different from the aggregate, used to modify, Definition: Piece for construction made of a mass of mud (clay
improve or impart special properties to concrete and sand) mixed with straw, molded in the shape of brick
mixtures. and dried in the sun

Example: we use it for the improvement of concrete. Example: we use it for building walls

obblen
Adoben /ˈkɒb.əl/ 
Adoquin
/əˈdəʊ.bi/
Definition: They are stones or blocks that are styled and
Adobe.
rectangular
Example: we use it in the construction of pavements as finishes

Harnessn
/ˈhɑː.nəs/ 
Arnés
Anchoragen Definition: Clamping device intended to stop falls, that is,
component of an anti-fall system.
/ˈæŋ.kər.ɪdʒ/ 
Example: Heavy duty straps that fit a person's trunk and legs for
Anclaje
safety
Definition: The anchors are a constructive system for Deep
Foundations that work as support and subjection

Example: Used to join metal profiles or construction works.

 Asphaltn Cofferdamn
/ˈkɒf.ə.dæm/
/ˈæs.fɔːlt/ 
Ataguías
Asfalto
Definition: Provisional structure, similar to a dike, which is built
Definition: Mixture of this mineral with lime, sand and other round an excavation to reject the wáter
substances that is used mainly in the paving of public
roads Example: They use to generally channel water flows. its use is
common when Works are carried out in riverbeds
Example: The asphalt is used to build roads or roads
 Downspoutsn
Beaconn
/ˈdaʊn.paɪp/ 
/ˈbiː.kən/
Bajantes
Baliza
Definition: A beacon is a signaling object, used to indicate a
Definition: There is a system of pipes called downpipes that channel geographical location or a situation of potential danger.
water from the gutter to the lowest part of the building
Example: In topography is used more to find sites in relation
Example: It is used to collect sewage. faster.
 Shoelacen
/ˈʃuː.leɪs/ 
Calzadura

Pitn Definition: They are temporary structures that are designed and built
to support the neighboring foundations and the exposed Wall
/pɪt/ floor, product of the excavations carried out.
Calicata Example: Prevent failures due to instability or excessive settlement
and maintain the integration of the adjacent land and existing
Definition: They are one of the prospecting techniques used to
Works
facilitate the geotechnical recognition,
pedological or pedological study of a terrain.

Example: It is used for the exploration of a land by means of an

auger or a probe to know the minerals it contains
 Easeln Quarryn
/iː.z l/
ə /kwɒr.i/

Caballete Cantera

Definition: It is a piece of furniture that constitutes a vertical aid to
display or fix something that rests on it.
Example: The hair is necessary to support things that we will
exhibit later
Definition: It is a mining operation, generally in the open, in
which industrial, ornamental or arid rocks are
obtained.
Example: In the quarries we can find all kinds of aggregates
 Gangn
/ɡæŋ/
Wheelbarrown Cuadrilla
7wiːlˌbær.əʊ/ Definition: Group of people destined to carry out a series of
determined deconstruction works.
CARRETILLA
Example: The gangs are divided to do the work assigned to
Definition: Small hand truck, usually with a single wheel, with
each of them
a drawer to put the load and in the back two poles to
steer it and two feet on which it rests, used in the
works to move sand and other materials.
Example: The truck is important to move any type of material
in all construction
 Splicen Pulleyn
/ ˈpo͝ olē /
/splaɪs/
Polea
Empalme
Definition: A wheel with a grooved rim around which a cord
Definition: Union or link of two things
passes It acts to change the direction of a force
Example: The joint is necessary to join two things applied to the cord and is chiefly used (typically in
combination) to raise heavy weights.

Example: We use the pulley for engineering work

 Aggregaten
Agglomeraten
/ˈæɡ.rɪ.ɡət/
/əˈɡlɒm.ər.ət/
Agregado
Aglomerante

Definition: Material consisting of fragments or powder of one or Definition: Aggregates are defined as a collection of particles of
various sizes that can be found in nature, whether
more substances (sand, gravel, wood, etc.)
in the form of fines, sands and gravels or as a result of rock
pressed and hardened with a binder, such as
crushing.
cement or lime, which is used in construction and
carpentry. Example: we use aggregates in road construction
Example: we use agglomerates in concrete mixtures.
 Vestn
/vest/
Chaleco

Definition: A close-fitting waist-length garment, typically having Helmetn

no sleeves or collar and buttoning down the front.
/ˈhel.mət
Example: We use vest to attend various construction Works
Casco

Definition: Rigid head protection add-on

Example: The engineer uses the helmet to protect himself when

going to a work
 Example: The backhoe is used to excavate the work

Tiern
Backhoen /tɪr/
/ˈbæk.həʊ/ Nivel
Retroexcavadora

Definition: Instrument whose purpose is the measurement of

Definition: a large machine for digging and moving earththat unevenness between oints that are at different heights
consists of a large bucket on the end of or the transfer of dimensions from a known point to
an arm attached to a vehicle another unknown.

Example: we use to know if the points that are used in this work
are in the appropriate height
 Brickn
/brɪk/
Ladrillo
Definition: A small rectangular block typically made of fired or
sun- dried clay, used in building.

Example: The bricklayer uses brick for walls or walls

Cementn
constructions /sɪˈment/
Cemento
Definition: a powdery substance made with calcined lime and
clay. It is mixed with a water to form mortar or mixed with
sand, gravel, and water to make concrete.
Example: The workers use cement to make the concrete mix Example: The workers use the shovel to move the material

Shoveln Sandn
/ˈʃʌv.əl/ /sænd/
Pala Arena
Definition: a tool with a broad flat blade and typically upturned Definition: A loose granular substance, typically pale yellowish
sides, used for moving coal, earth, snow or other brown, resulting from the erosion of siliceous
material and other rocks.
Example: They use the sand to make the corresponding concrete Example: We use the tripod to place the theodolite or
mix. topographic level for Works.

Milestonen
Tripodn /ˈmaɪl.stəʊn/
Hito
/ˈtraɪ.pɒd/
Definition: A stone set up beside a road to mark the distance in
Trípode miles to a particular place.
Definition: Serves to hold elements of topography. Example: we set a milestone to locate distances in miles.
 example: The compass is used in topography to know the
directions of magnetic north.

Compassn Ruleern
/ˈkʌm.pəs/ /ˈruː.lər/

Brújula Regla

Definition: An instrument containing a magnetized pointer that Definition: A straight strip or cylinder of plastic, wood, metal, or
shows the direction of magnetic north and other rigid material typically marked at regular
bearings from it. intervals, to draw straight lines or measure distances.
Example: The engineer's rule is used to make traces or find Example: we use the hammer to nail nails
distances.

Woodn
/wʊd/
Madera
Hammern Definition: The hard fibrous material that forms the main
substance of the trunk or branches of a tree or shrub
/ˈhæm.ər/
Example: wood is used mostly for support in the filling of
Martillo columns.
Definition: A tool with a heavy metal head mounted at right
angles at the end of a handle, used for jobs such as
breaking things and driving in nails.
 Example: The scaffolding is used to execute parts of a work that
are difficult to reach

Foundationn
Scaffoldn /faʊnˈdeɪ.ʃən/ 
Cimentación
/ˈskæf.əʊld/
Andamio Definition: The lowest load-bearing part of a building, typically
below ground level.
Definition: Scaffolding is called a provisional construction, fixed
or mobile, which serves as an auxiliary for the execution of
Example: Use the foundation for the start of a work to be carried
Works out.
 Compactionn Stirrupn
/kəmˈpæk.ʃ n/ə
/ˈstɪr.əp/
Compactación Estribo
Definition: Procedure of applying energy to the soil to eliminate Definition: Structural element formed by rod or wire, used to join
empty spaces thus increasing its density the reinforcement of rods inside a structure,

Example: Compaction is used for the improvement of soil Example: It´s function is to confine the concrete that falls inside
engineering this element and thus avoid its expansion
avoiding a structural failure.
 Roadn
/rəʊd
Carretera.

Definition: Land route for the transit of motorized and non-

Skylightn motorized vehicles, pedestrians and animals, with the exception of
railways.
/ˈskaɪ.laɪt/
Example: built primarily for the circulation of automotive vehicles
Tragaluz
Definition: A skylight or skylight is a small window located on the
roof or top of a wall

Example: mostly built to provide more light to the romos

 /ɪmˈbæŋk.mənt/ 
Bridgen
Terraplén.
/brɪdʒ/
Definition: Heap of land with which a hole is filled or that rises for
Puente. a certain purpose
Definition: Construction that rises over a depression of the land Example: Land that is filled in with land to raise its level and form
(river, canal, moat, etc.) or another site to communicate two sides. a suitable support plane to do a work.
Example: helps the transfer from one place to another in which it
is located.

Embankmentn
 Limon Cyclopeann
/ˈlɪm.əʊ/ /sīˈklōpēən/

Limo. Ciclópeo

Definition: mud formed by clay mixed by organic. Definition: It is classified as a surface foundation for construction
of a house whether it is going to be constructed of one or two floors
Example: remains that is deposited in the bottom of ponds or in as appropriate, depending on the type of soil
the floods of rivers.
Example: It is very important to hold the weight of the
constructions
Beamn
/biːm/
Viga
Definition: Rigid architectural element, generally horizontal,
designed to support and transmit the transversal loads to
which it is subjected to the support elements.
Example: they use it for constructions in which they make it work
to support flexible loads
Shoen
/ʃuː/
Zapata
Definition: Horizontal piece that is placed on a column and on
which rests an upper structure, especially a beam.
Example: can be used in reasonably homogeneous soils and
medium or high compression strengths.
Clearancen DemolishV
/ˈklɪə.r ns/
ə
/ dɪˈmɒl·ɪʃ /
Desmonte Demolición.

Definition: Excavation of earth that is carried out in a certain Definition: To destroy something such as a building
environment
Example: They continued their demolition work on the bathroom
Example: This is important in order to lower the ground level floor.
Columnn Formworkn
/ ˈkɒl·əm / / for´mwork /
Columna. Encofrado.
Definition: An upright pillar, typically cylindrical and made of Definition: Is the term used for the process of creating a
stone or concrete, supporting an entablature, arch,
temporary mould into which concrete is poured and formed.
or other structure or standing alone as a monument.

Example: The column supports the structure of the house. Example: They made the formwork in the building.
Platingn Steeln.
/ ˈplādiNG / / Stiːl /
Enchapado. Acero,

Definition: A thin layer of wood, ceramic or other metal. DEFINITION: A hard strong, gray or bluish-gray alloy of iron witch
Example: Pedro makes the ceramic plating. carbon.

EXAMPLE: The steel is resistant.

.
Lightenv Excavationn
/ ˈlaɪ·Tən / / ˌeks.Kəˈveɪ.Ʃən /
Aligerado. Excavacion.

DEFINITION: Make or become lighter in weight, pressure, or DEFINITION: A site that is being or has been excavated.
severity.
EXAMPLE: The workers carried out the excavation.
EXAMPLE: They realized the structure of the lightened ceiling.
Excavatorn Cranen
/ ˈek.skə.veɪ.tər / / Kreɪn /
Excavadora. Grúa.

DEFINITION: a large machine for removing soil from the ground,
especially on a building site.
EXAMPLE: The laying of the sewerage network was carried out
with an excavator.
DEFINITION: Machine that serves to lift or transport from one
place to another very heavy things; It is usually formed by a metal
structure with a horizontal mobile arm from which hangs a cable
with a hook.
EXAMPLE: The crane is used to load and unload construction
materials.
Tippern Mototraillan
/’Moto’traila/
/ˈtɪp.Ə /
Mototrailla.
Volquete.
DEFINITION: These machines are used to cut uniform layers of
DEFINITION: A vehicle to transport or deposit the load of terrains of a smooth consistency, opening the blade that is on the
materials. front of the container.
EXAMPLE: The tipper transports from the ground. EXAMPLE: The mototrailla is used for road construction.
Tilen Shoringn
/ Taɪl / / ˈshōldər /
Baldosa. Apuntalamiento.

DEFINITION: A thin rectangular slab of baked clay, concrete, or DEFINITION: Holding something with struts, specifically a building
other material. to reinforce or to not collapse

EXAMPLE: They used red tile to cover the floor. EXAMPLE: Shoring was carried out in the adjoining house.
Fissuren
/ˈfɪʃ.Ər/
Fisura.

DEFINITION: a long, narrow opening or line of breakage made by

cracking or splitting, especially in rock or earth.

EXAMPLE: The wall presents fissure.

Guttersn
/ˈɡʌt.Ər/
Canaletas.

DEFINITION: A shallow trough fixed beneath the edge of a roof

for carrying off rainwater.

EXAMPLE: Workers repair the gutters.

Splicev
/ Splaɪs/
Empalme.

DEFINITION: Join or connect (to rope or ropes) by interweaving

the strands.
Toiletn
/ ˈtɔɪ.Lət /
Inodoro.

DEFINITION: A fixed receptacle into which a person may urinate

or defecate, typically consisting of a large bowl connected to a
system for flushing away the waste into a sewer or septic tank.

EXAMPLE: Pedro installed the toilet.

EXAMPLE: Make splices for the second floor column.

Mortarn Pilen
/ Paɪl /
/ ˈmɔː.Tər /
Pilote.
Mortero.
DEFINITION: Pilar buried in a field, there are two basic types of
DEFINITION: Mixing of various materials, such as lime or cement, piles according to their way of working.
sand and water.
EXAMPLE: Engineers use foundation piles for construction.
EXAMPLE: Use mortar to raise bricks on the wall.
 Porcelainn
Postn.
/ ˈpɔː.Səl.ɪn /
/ Pəʊst /
Porcelanato.
Poste.
DEFINITION: It is an evolution of enameled ceramics; It is a
DEFINITION: A long, sturdy piece of timber or metal set upright in product of high resistance to abrasión.
the ground and used to support something or as a marker.
EXAMPLE: The room with porcelain tile.
EXAMPLE: They made the installation of the post in the streets.
 Switchn
Ironworkn
/ Swɪtʃ /
/ ˈaɪən.Wɜːk /
Interruptor.
Herraje.
DEFINITION: a small device, usually pushed up or down with
DEFINITION: Things made of iron such as gates, especially if your finger, that controls and turns on or off an electric current.
made in a decorated way.
EXAMPLE: Switches are connected in the kitchen
EXAMPLE: The ironwork used for door ornaments.

Pipen
/ Paɪp /
Tubería.

DEFINITION:
A long tube that liquid or
gas can move through.

EXAMPLE: Install the pipe

for the sewer system.
 EXAMPLE: Students make a 1:50 scale drawing.

Workforcen
Scalen
/ ˈwɜːk·Fɔːs /
/ Skeɪl /
Mano De Obra.
Escala.
DEFINITION: The number of workers (available for work) in a
DEFINITION: The set of numbers, amounts, etc. used to measure particular industry, factory etc
or compare the level of something
EXAMPLE: The construction has a workforce of about 20 people.
 Geologyn
Water Tablen / Dʒiˈɒl.Ə.Dʒi /
/ˈwɔː.Tə ˌteɪ.Bəl/ Geología.
Nivel Freático. DEFINITION: the study of the rocks and similar substances that
DEFINITION: The level below the surface of the ground at which make up the earth's surface:
you start to find wáter. EXAMPLE: The engineer teaches geology to his students.
EXAMPLE: The land has water table.
 Filtrationn
/ Fɪlˈtreɪ.Ʃən /
Filtración.

DEFINITION: The act of passing a liquid or gas through a piece of

equipment in order to remove solid pieces or other substances.

EXAMPLE: Moisture by filtration in walls and walls.

Watern
/ ˈwɔː.Tər /
Agua.

DEFINITION: A clear liquid, without colour or taste, that falls from

the sky as rain and is necessary for animal and plant life:

EXAMPLE: The water is used to mix the concrete.

Durabilityn Masonn
/ˌdjʊərəˈbɪləti / / ˈmeɪ.sən /
Durabilidad. Albañil.

DEFINITION: the fact of something continuing to be used without DEFINITION: A person who constructs something by putting parts
getting damaged: or material together over a period of time.

EXAMPLE: Durability in reinforced concrete structures. EXAMPLE: The mason builds houses.
 / Kənˈstrʌk·Ʃən /
Buildingn
Construcción.
/ ˈbɪl·Dɪŋ /
DEFINITION: The building of something, typically a large
Edificio. structure.
DEFINITION: A structure with a roof and walls, such as a house, EXAMPLE: The building has more than 50 years of construction.
school, store, or factory.

EXAMPLE: The engineer designed a 3-story building.

Constructionn Housen
/ haʊs/
Bermn
Casa.
/bərm/
DEFINITION: A building for human habitation, especially one that
is lived in by a family or small group of people. Berma.

EXAMPLE: My house has a terrace. Definition: Longitudinal strip, parallel and adjacent to the running
surface of the road

Example: serves as a confinement of the rolling layer and is used

as a safety zone for parking vehicles in case of emergency.

Channeln
/ˈtʃæn.əl/ 
Canal. Conglomerado.

Definition: It is a ditch built to receive and channel medium or Definition: Clastic sedimentary rock, composed of boulders
small amounts of water from natural terrain or other drainage works. cemented in a thin matrix that can be calcareous or silicose.

Example: used for water and that unlike pipes, it is open to the Example: The earth is a specialized conglomerate of organisms.
atmosphere.

Conglomeraten Curtainsn
/kənˈɡlɒm. r.ət/
ə
/ˈkɜː.tən/
Cortinas. Definition: Detachment and precipitation of land and stone
masses, hindering the free movement of vehicles on the road.
Definition: Portion of wall between any two elements that break
the uniformity of the wall such as towers, cubes, corners or cliffs. Example: happens when the concrete blocks are not well built
Example: It is designed to support large volumes of water, so that
it can be controlled and used for other purposes such as irrigation.

Collapsen Cornern
/kəˈlæps/ /ˈkɔː.nə /
r

Colapso. Esquina.
Definition: Solid concrette structure, thickness of 1 to 2 inches Definition: A formwork is the system of temporary or permanent
under construction. molds that are used to shape concrete.

Example: piece that is put in the corners. Example: Temporary supports to keep the concrete cool in place.

Formworkn Guttersn
/ˈfaɪə.wɜːk/  /ˈɡʌt.ər/
Encofrado. Canaletas.
Definition: Open channels built laterally along the road
Example: with the purpose of driving surface and sub-surface
runoff from the road platform
Definition: measurement and grading that takes place of the grains of
a sedimentary formation, of the sedimentary materials
Example: analysis, both of its origin and its mechanical properties, and
the calculation of abundance.

Limestonen
Granulometryn
/ˈlaɪm.stəʊn/ 
/ˈɡræn.jəˈlær.ə.t/
Caliza.
Granulometria.
Definition: Rock of sedimentary origin composed essentially of
calcium carbonate (calcite) from mechanical accumulation of
fragments of this mineral, by chemical precipitation.

Example: It is used for the stabilization of floors and roads.

Limon
/ˈlɪm.əʊ/
Limo.

Definition: mud formed by clay mixed by organic.

Example: remains that is deposited in the bottom of ponds or in
the floods of rivers.