buildup

or build-up

[ bild-uhp ]
See synonyms for buildup on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. a building up, as of military forces; increase in amount or number.

  2. a process of growth; strengthening; development: the buildup of heavy industry.

  1. an accumulation, as of a particular type of material: a buildup of salt deposits.

  2. an increase, as in potential, intensity, or pressure: A buildup of suspense began halfway through the movie.

  3. a progressive or sequential development: the buildup of helium atoms from hydrogen.

  4. praise or publicity designed to enhance a reputation or popularize someone or something: The studio spent $100,000 on the new star's buildup.

  5. a process of preparation designed to make possible the achievement of an ultimate objective: a lengthy buildup to a sales pitch.

  6. encouragement; a psychological lift: Every time I need a buildup, I look at her picture.

Origin of buildup

1
1925–30, Americanism; noun use of verb phrase build up

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use buildup in a sentence

  • Sir Daniel then shows that it was possible to build up the marvellous Scottish banking system only on the character so built.

  • Draw thee water for the siege, build up thy bulwarks: go into the clay, and tread, work it and make brick.

  • She needed to build up a stranger constitution and her friends were sure the western air would help as no medicine could.

  • But they had not yet received power sufficient to fully organize and build up that kingdom on the earth.

  • They already had power to work mighty miracles, but had not the power to build up the kingdom of God.

British Dictionary definitions for build up

build up

verb(adverb)
  1. (tr) to construct gradually, systematically, and in stages

  2. to increase, accumulate, or strengthen, esp by degrees: the murmur built up to a roar

  1. (intr) to prepare for or gradually approach a climax

  2. (tr) to improve the health or physique of (a person)

  3. (tr, usually passive) to cover (an area) with buildings

  4. (tr) to cause (a person, enterprise, etc) to become better known; publicize: they built several actresses up into stars

nounbuild-up
  1. progressive increase in number, size, etc: the build-up of industry

  2. a gradual approach to a climax or critical point

  1. the training and practice that constitutes the preparation for a particular event or competition: the team's Olympic build-up

  2. extravagant publicity or praise, esp in the form of a campaign

  3. military the process of attaining the required strength of forces and equipment, esp prior to an operation

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with buildup

buildup

Fill an area with houses or other buildings, urbanize. For example, We want to protect the wetlands against those who want to build up the area. [c. 1400]

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.