English

fabrication

gb/fˌæbɹɪkˈeɪʃən/ us/fˌæbɹɪkˈeɪʃən/
B2 English
Senses
0 senses
Noun B2 abstract
1

an invented story or lie

A fabrication is a lie that someone makes up.

Usage pattern: a fabrication; [something] is a fabrication
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse fabrication (a made-up story) with fabric (cloth).
Synonyms
falsehood (More formal; often focuses on the untrue statement itself.) | made-up story (More informal and descriptive.)
Antonyms
truth (The real facts, not invented.) | fact (Something verifiably true.)
Collocations
a complete fabrication |a pure fabrication |an outright fabrication |a total fabrication |a blatant fabrication |a sheer fabrication |dismiss as fabrication |expose as fabrication |accuse [someone] of fabrication |the story was a fabrication
Themes
communication |media |crime
Examples
  • The article was based on a fabrication, not on verified sources.
  • He admitted that the claim about his degree was a fabrication.
  • Police quickly realized the witness’s account was a fabrication.
Learner examples
  • That story is a fabrication.
  • She said it was all a fabrication.
Noun technical B2 process
2

making goods from parts

Fabrication is the process of making things in a factory or workshop.

Usage pattern: fabrication of [something]; fabrication facility
Common mistake:
Fabrication (making products) is not the same as fabric (cloth), though both relate to making.
Synonyms
manufacture (Common business term for making goods, often on a large scale.) | production (Broader; includes planning and output, not just making parts.)
Antonyms
dismantling (Taking something apart rather than making it.)
Collocations
industrial fabrication |metal fabrication |component fabrication |custom fabrication |precision fabrication |fabrication process |fabrication techniques |fabrication facility |in-house fabrication |fabrication costs
Themes
work |business |engineering
Examples
  • The company handles design, fabrication, and testing in one facility.
  • Advances in fabrication have made the parts cheaper to produce.
  • They outsourced the fabrication of the brackets to a local workshop.
Learner examples
  • Fabrication takes place in the factory.
  • They are responsible for the fabrication of the parts.
Noun technical C1 entity
3

a fabricated metal/industrial part

A fabrication can be a part that has been made, especially from metal.

Usage pattern: a [material] fabrication; structural fabrications
Synonyms
assembly (Focuses on parts put together; not necessarily shaped/processed.) | workpiece (Technical term for a piece being worked on in manufacturing.)
Antonyms
raw material (Material before it is shaped or assembled.)
Collocations
steel fabrication |aluminum fabrication |structural fabrications |welded fabrication |sheet-metal fabrication |custom fabrication |shop fabrications |fabrication drawing |fabrication tolerances |fabrication assembly
Themes
engineering |work |manufacturing
Examples
  • The contractor delivered the steel fabrications to the site on Friday.
  • Each fabrication was inspected before it was painted and shipped.
  • They replaced the damaged fabrication with a newly welded one.
Learner examples
  • The shop made a new fabrication for the machine.
Noun formal C1 action
4

making false evidence or records

Fabrication is the illegal or dishonest act of making fake evidence or results.

Usage pattern: fabrication of [evidence/data/records]
Common mistake:
Do not use fabrication to mean a small mistake; it usually implies intentional dishonesty.
Synonyms
falsification (Broader; includes changing something real as well as inventing it.) | tampering (Often refers to interfering with evidence rather than inventing it.)
Antonyms
verification (Confirming that evidence or data is genuine.)
Collocations
evidence fabrication |data fabrication |fabrication of evidence |fabrication of records |fabrication of results |allegations of fabrication |charge of fabrication |investigate fabrication |prove fabrication |fabrication and falsification
Themes
law |crime |academia
Examples
  • The court considered whether there had been fabrication of evidence.
  • The journal retracted the paper after confirming data fabrication.
  • He was dismissed for fabrication of records to cover the losses.
Learner examples
  • Fabrication of evidence is a serious crime.
Grammar
Dictionary form
fabrication
IPA
GB/fˌæbɹɪkˈeɪʃən/
US/fˌæbɹɪkˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
fab - ric - a - tion (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (a)
Word forms
Noun
  • Base: fabrication
  • Plural: fabrication, fabrications
Word family
Forms
fabrications noun
Core family
fabricate verb B2 fabricated adjective
Related words
fabricator noun fabric noun A2
Advanced or less common
prefabricate verb prefabrication noun prefabricated adjective
Expressions

a complete fabrication

1
/ə kəmplˈit fˌæbɹɪkˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase

an absolute lie

A complete fabrication means a total lie.

Examples
  • The rumor was a complete fabrication.
  • She said the accusations were a complete fabrication.
  • His ‘connections’ turned out to be a complete fabrication.

data fabrication

1
/dˈætə fˌæbɹɪkˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase formal

making up research data

Data fabrication means inventing data and reporting it as true.

Examples
  • The investigation found evidence of data fabrication.
  • The university sanctioned the researcher for data fabrication.
  • Peer reviewers raised concerns that pointed to possible data fabrication.

fabrication plant

1
/fˌæbɹɪkˈeɪʃən plˈænt/
fixed phrase business

factory where products are made

A fabrication plant is a factory where parts are made.

Examples
  • The company plans to build a new fabrication plant in Ohio.
  • Production slowed after a fire at the fabrication plant.
  • The fabrication plant supplies components to several assembly sites.

fabrication shop

1
/fˌæbɹɪkˈeɪʃən ʃˈɑp/
fixed phrase technical

workshop that makes parts

A fabrication shop is a place where people make metal parts.

Examples
  • The panels were built in a fabrication shop and delivered ready to install.
  • They toured the fabrication shop to see how the frames were welded.
  • A local fabrication shop quoted a two-week turnaround.

metal fabrication

1
/mˈɛtəl fˌæbɹɪkˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase technical

making parts from metal

Metal fabrication is making things from metal parts.

Examples
  • He works in metal fabrication, building frames and brackets.
  • We hired a firm that specializes in metal fabrication.
  • The design was adjusted to simplify metal fabrication.

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