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Synonyms

built-in

American  
[bilt-in] / ˈbɪltˌɪn /

adjective

  1. built so as to be an integral and permanent part of a larger construction.

    The wall has a built-in bookcase.

  2. existing as a natural or characteristic part of something; inherent.

    a built-in contempt for daydreaming.


noun

  1. a built-in piece of furniture or appliance.

  2. an additional feature or capability, as of a machine or a service.

    a car with power steering, power brakes, and other built-ins.

built-in British  

adjective

  1. made or incorporated as an integral part

    a built-in cupboard

    a built-in escape clause

  2. essential; inherent

"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

noun

  1. a built-in cupboard or wardrobe

"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

Etymology

Origin of built-in

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

However, days after it was released, tech giants including Alibaba, Tencent and JD.com restricted the built-in assistant's access to their platforms.

From Barron's Jul. 19, 2026

It’s a marriage of many appealing aspects for any streaming service: Commercially successful stories with a built-in fan base that come with distinctive lead characters to turn into many more sequels and spinoffs.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 15, 2026

This creates a built-in sauce to serve with, so all you need is jasmine rice or creamy mashed potatoes to catch the saucy goodness.

From Salon Jul. 12, 2026

Under the precedent set by Barker and Parsons, studios are now looking to acquire a fully developed idea from creators who already have a built-in audience, agents say.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 8, 2026

Not much to see, just concrete walls with a built-in bench.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

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