Fabricated

Fabricated is the past participle of fabricate and an adjective with two primary senses. It can refer to something that has been made by assembling parts in a manufacturing process, or to something that has been invented or contrived, particularly when it is not genuine.

In industrial contexts, fabrication denotes the construction of products from raw materials. Metal fabrication, for example, includes cutting, bending, welding, and assembling metal components into structures or devices. Other forms include plastic and wood fabrication, which produce components and assemblies such as frames, enclosures, piping systems, or machinery housings.

In research, journalism, and law, fabricated data, stories, or evidence describe information that is false or manufactured. Fabrication is considered a form of deception and can lead to sanctions, loss of credibility, or legal penalties. Detection relies on methods such as data forensics, audits, independent replication, and source verification.

Etymology and usage: the term derives from fabricate, from Latin fabrica meaning workshop or craft, through Old French. In manufacturing contexts, fabricated parts are typically described in neutral terms, while in ethical or legal discussions the word often carries a negative connotation when referring to deceit or fraud. Common collocations include fabricated metal parts, fabricated data, fabricated evidence, and fabricated narratives.