When combined with water to create mortar or when combined with sand, gravel, and water to create concrete, cement is a dry, powdery material. It serves as a binder. Cement provides enough strength once it has dried out to build substantial industrial structures.

Metals in contact with cement should be corrosion resistant since cement is corrosive to metals.

Hydraulic cement is another name for a common form of cement used in the building industry since it is typically combined with water before usage.