prefabricate

P3R1E1F4A1B3R1I1C3A1T1E1
/ˌpɹiːˈfæ.bɹɪ.keɪt/

verb

To manufacture (a building, etc.) in standard components that can be fitted together on site.

Similar
preassemble
OriginEnglish fabricate ← Middle English pre- ← Latin prae- →
Scrabble 21
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Meanings

verbprefabricate (third-person singular simple present prefabricates, present participle prefabricating, simple past and past participle prefabricated)

present singular third person prefabricates · participle present prefabricating · participle past prefabricated · past prefabricated

  1. transitiveTo manufacture (a building, etc.) in standard components that can be fitted together on site.

Synonyms & antonyms

verbto manufacture sections of (a building), especially in a factory, so that they can be easily transported to and rapidly assembled on a building site of buildings

Similar
preassemble
Broader
producemakecreate
Also see
preassemble

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

  1. Proto-Indo-European*per-
  2. Proto-Indo-European*preh₂-
  3. Proto-Indo-European*préh₂i?
  4. Proto-Italic*prai
  5. Proto-Italic*prai-
  6. Latinprae-
  7. Middle Englishpre-
  8. Englishpre-
  9. Englishfabricate
  10. Englishprefabricate

From pre- + fabricate.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Catalan prefabricar
  • prefabricarTo manufacture in standard components that can be fitted together on site
French préfabriquer
  • préfabriquerTo manufacture in standard components that can be fitted together on site
Italian prefabbricare
  • prefabbricareTo manufacture in standard components that can be fitted together on site
Portuguese prefabricar
  • prefabricarTo manufacture in standard components that can be fitted together on site
Spanish prefabricar
  • prefabricarTo manufacture in standard components that can be fitted together on site
Cite this entry
APA

prefabricate. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/prefabricate

MLA

“prefabricate.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/prefabricate. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “prefabricate,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/prefabricate.

Source: prefabricate on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.