Ashlars are hewn or cut blocks of stone that are used in building construction. There are several synonyms for the word ashlars, including masonry, stonework, hewn stone, cut stone, and squared stone. These words all refer to the same basic concept of using stones in building construction, but describe it in slightly different ways. Masonry and stonework are broader terms that encompass other types of stone building techniques, while hewn stone, cut stone, and squared stone specifically refer to the process of shaping the stone blocks. No matter which synonym you use, ashlars remain an important building material in architecture and construction today.