1. structure; construction; appearance
ようやく、図書館の構えが見えてきた。At last, the library building came into view.
2. posture (e.g. in martial arts); pose; stance
どちらも構えを取らず、自然な姿勢だった。Neither took a stance; they were in a natural posture.
3. readiness; determination; preparedness
これを撃退する構えです。They are poised to drive it back.
4. kanji enclosure type radical (must enclose at least two sides of the kanji)
e.g. 門