Masonry is the craft of building structures by carefully fitting together individual pieces of stone, brick, or concrete blocks. A skilled mason can create walls, buildings, chimneys, and monuments that last for centuries.

Think of masonry like the world's most permanent Lego set. Instead of plastic blocks that snap together, a mason works with heavy stones or bricks, holding them in place with mortar (a paste-like mixture that hardens like concrete). Ancient Egyptians used masonry to build the pyramids. Medieval craftsmen used it to construct castles and cathedrals. Today, masons still build fireplaces, garden walls, and the brick facades of schools and libraries.

Good masonry requires precision and patience. Each piece must fit properly, and the whole structure needs to be level and strong. A mason might spend years learning to judge which stone fits where, how to cut and shape pieces, and how to make walls that can support tremendous weight without toppling.

The word can also refer to the stonework itself: “The masonry of that old courthouse is beautiful,” or to Freemasonry, a fraternal organization related to historical stonemason guilds.