built-up

American  

[bilt-uhp] / ˈbɪltˌʌp /

adjective

1. built by the fastening together of several parts or enlarged by the addition of layers.

   This shoe has a built-up heel.

2. (of an area) filled in with houses, as an urban region.

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built-up British  

adjective

1. having many buildings (esp in the phrase built-up area )

2. denoting a beam, girder, or stanchion constructed of sections welded, riveted, or bolted together, etc

3. increased by the addition of parts

   built-up heels

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Etymology

Origin of built-up

First recorded in 1820–30

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

built-up

There was no immediate threat as it had not landed in a built-up area, Tusk added: "We were prepared to shoot it down if had continued its flight."

From BBC ● Jul. 30, 2026

My odyssey began in Navy Yard, a recently built-up D.C. neighborhood where the Transportation Department is headquartered.

From Slate ● Jun. 5, 2026

“The Ghost Trail has that familiar ride and feel, with built-up traction, durability and ‘just-enough’ protection,” says Nick Clinton, footwear product line manager at Brooks Running.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 30, 2026

If you have a highly concentrated stock allocation with large built-up gains, you can gradually whittle down your position and use the $6,000 deduction to minimize or cancel the tax hit, Adams says.

From Barron's ● Apr. 25, 2026

The built-up steam sprayed bits of rotten shark, seaweed, and Nim-didn’t-know-what in a rushing geyser far into the air.

From "Nim’s Island" by Wendy Orr

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Related Words

• assisted
• augmented
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