build

[ bild ]

verb (used with object)

, built or (Archaic) build·ed; build·ing.

1. to construct (especially something complex) by assembling and joining parts or materials:

   to build a house.

2. to establish, increase, or strengthen (often followed by up ):

   to build a business;

   to build up one's hopes.

3. to mold, form, or create:

   to build students into skilled professionals.

4. to base; found:

   a relationship built on trust.

5. Games.
   1. to make (words) from letters.
   2. to assemble (cards) according to number, suit, etc., as in melding.
   3. to create (a character in a role-playing game) by choosing a job class and/or a set of attributes, skills, weapons, armor, etc.; spec:

      If you want to build a Warlock, choosing Half-Elf for your race will give you more spells and magic resistance.

verb (used without object)

, built or (Archaic) build·ed; build·ing.

1. to engage in the art, practice, or business of building.
2. to form or construct a plan, system of thought, etc. (usually followed by on or upon ):

   He built on the philosophies of the past.

3. to increase or develop toward a maximum, as of intensity, tempo, or magnitude (often followed by up ):

   The drama builds steadily toward a climax.

noun

1. the physical structure, especially of a person; physique; figure:

   He had a strong build.

2. the manner or form of construction:

   The house was of modern build.

3. Computers.
   1. a version of a program after compilation, typically an update to an existing version made before the program is released.
   2. the process of producing a software build.
   3. a new version or update of data in a database or on a website:

      frequent, incremental builds of data.

4. (in a video game or tabletop role-playing game) a set of attributes, skills, weapons, armor, and other items chosen by the player that affect the character’s speed, strength, intelligence, etc., which may make the character more effective in some roles and less effective in others.
5. Masonry.
   1. a vertical joint.
   2. the vertical dimension of a stone laid on its bed.

verb phrase

1. to expand, construct, or develop: The team used to manually build out its marketing email list, but now it's automatic.

   They decided to build out the road network to connect the two towns.

   The team used to manually build out its marketing email list, but now it's automatic.

2. 1. to develop or increase:

      to build up a bank account.

   2. to strengthen.
   3. to prepare in stages.
   4. to fill in with houses; develop into an urban area.
   5. to praise or flatter.
3. to build or incorporate as part of something else: an allowance for travel expenses built into the budget.

   to build in bookcases between the windows;

   an allowance for travel expenses built into the budget.

build

/ bɪld /

verb

1. to make, construct, or form by joining parts or materials

   to build a house

2. intr to be a builder by profession
3. tr to order the building of

   the government builds most of our hospitals

4. foll byon or upon to base; found

   his theory was not built on facts

5. tr to establish and develop

   it took ten years to build a business

6. tr to make in a particular way or for a particular purpose

   the car was not built for speed

7. introften foll byup to increase in intensity

   the wind was building

8. cards
   1. to add cards to each other to form (a sequence or set)
   2. intr to add to the layout of cards on the table from one's hand

noun

1. physical form, figure, or proportions

   a man with an athletic build

Other Words From

• build·a·ble adjective
• mis·build verb misbuilt misbuilding
• out·build verb (used with object) outbuilt outbuilding
• pre·build verb (used with object) prebuilt prebuilding
• su·per·build verb superbuilt superbuilding
• un·build·a·ble adjective
• un·der·build verb underbuilt underbuilding

Word History and Origins

Origin of build¹

First recorded before 1150; from Middle English bilden, Old English byldan, derivative of bold, variant of botl “dwelling, house”

Word History and Origins

Origin of build¹

Old English byldan ; related to bylda farmer, bold building, Old Norse bōl farm, dwelling; see bower ¹

Idioms and Phrases

• light (build) a fire under
• built

Example Sentences

They have a breathable mesh build, but when paired with a wool sock like this one from Voormi, I have no problems wearing them in below-freezing temperatures.

From Outside Online

I credit the premium goat leather, simple build, and burly stitched seams for this longevity.

From Outside Online

All the extra features and general operating abilities add to the printer’s build, which certainly shouldn’t be an issue if you have an office or dedicated workspace at home.

From Popular-Science

Blockchain could allow buyers to track their ad’s performance at every stage, potentially eliminating fraud and helping build trust.

From Ozy

For Lee, co-living during the pandemic helped her build trust and a sense of community with her roommates.

From Ozy

Those are saguaro cactuses…the big ones…birds make holes in them and build their nests inside.

From The Daily Beast

Therefore, we should—you guessed it—develop the Canadian tar sands and build the Keystone pipeline.

From The Daily Beast

“He could build studios and he understood technology,” Jackson told The Daily Beast.

From The Daily Beast

The narrator is suggesting that they build a snowman that looks like a minister.

From The Daily Beast

Regardless, few had been given any reason to believe they could build a life for themselves beyond the streets.

From The Daily Beast

They lived at first in a tent; no time to build a house, till the wheat and vegetables were planted.

From Project Gutenberg

Now is the time to build for the future, and to avoid paying too much attention to immediate profits.

From Project Gutenberg

The birds that build them swallow a certain kind of glutinous weed growing on the coral rocks.

From Project Gutenberg

Ki Pak's servants proceeded to build a fire in the centre of the yard and the cook made preparations for getting supper.

From Project Gutenberg

And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruits of them.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• assemble
• erect
• evolve
• form
• make
• manufacture
• produce
• raise
• reconstruct
• set up