Prefab
/ˈpriː.fæb/noun
A building or building component manufactured in sections before being transported and assembled on site.
Did you know?Prefab construction became especially prominent during and after World War II, when rapidly assembled housing was needed to replace buildings and accommodate displaced populations.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Latin
Latin
prae
“Before; in front of”
Classical Latin
Latin
faber
“A craftsperson, artisan, or maker—especially a worker in metal or stone”
Classical Latin
Latin
fabricare
“To make, construct, or work skillfully”
19th Century
English
prefabricate
“To manufacture a structure or component in advance, usually away from its final location”
1940s
English
prefab
“An abbreviated form of prefabricated, especially a prefabricated building or dwelling”
Modern English
English
prefab
“A building or component produced in sections and assembled on site”