clinker block
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A clinker block is a type of lightweight, rectangular building block. It is made from concrete that uses clinker or cinder (the ash residue from burned coal) as its primary aggregate. This composition makes it lighter than a standard concrete block.
Usage
The term clinker block is used to refer to the physical block itself, typically in the context of construction, masonry, or building materials. * It is often used in the plural form (clinker blocks) when referring to multiple units. * It functions as a countable noun (e.g., "a clinker block," "several clinker blocks").
Examples
- The garden wall was constructed from clinker blocks.
- A single clinker block is easier to handle than a solid concrete one due to its weight.
- Builders in the mid-20th century frequently used clinker blocks for foundations and interior walls.
Advanced Usage
- Regional Variation: In British English, an identical block is commonly called a breeze block. In American English, the synonymous term cinder block is standard. Clinker block is a less common but technically accurate synonym, with "clinker" referring to a specific type of vitrified cinder.
Variants and Related Words
- Cinder block (n.): The most common American English term for the same object.
- Breeze block (n.): The common British English term for the same object.
- Concrete block (n.): A broader category that includes clinker/cinder blocks as well as blocks made with other types of aggregate.
Synonyms
- Cinder block
- Breeze block (UK)
- Concrete masonry unit (CMU) – a more formal, technical term.
Antonyms
- Solid concrete: Refers to poured, non-modular concrete, not pre-formed blocks.
- Brick: A smaller, typically solid clay-based building unit.
Noun
- a light concrete building block made with cinder aggregate
- cinder blocks are called breeze blocks in Britain