world-building

or world·build·ing

[ wurld-bil-ding ]

noun

1. the process of developing a detailed and plausible fictional world for a novel or story, especially in science fiction, fantasy, and video games:

   Drawing a convincing map with boundaries and landscape features is a natural starting point for world-building.

Other Words From

• world-build verb (used without object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of world-building¹

First recorded in 1820–25, referring to or contrasted with the Biblical creation of the world

Example Sentences

A few days spent upon the rim and in a launch upon the lake will give glimpses of world-building features and nature-history.

From Project Gutenberg

Not long past, a well-dressed Italian of good appearance and address rented an office in the World Building.

From Project Gutenberg

Socialism is henceforth a theory of social evolution, not a scheme of world-building; a spirit, not a thing.

From Project Gutenberg

In chemistry, a simple little ingredient may give culminating power to a world-building or a world-destroying compound.

From Project Gutenberg

This principle of the crystalline formation of the elements is the basis of world building.

From Project Gutenberg