build

[ bild ]

/ bɪld /

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See synonyms for: build / building / built on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), built or (Archaic) build·ed; build·ing.

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

to establish, increase, or strengthen (often followed by up): to build a business;to build up one's hopes.

to mold, form, or create: to build students into skilled professionals.

to base; found: a relationship built on trust.

Games.

to make (words) from letters.
to assemble (cards) according to number, suit, etc., as in melding.
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.

to engage in the art, practice, or business of building.

to form or construct a plan, system of thought, etc. (usually followed by on or upon): He built on the philosophies of the past.

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

the physical structure, especially of a person; physique; figure: He had a strong build.

the manner or form of construction: The house was of modern build.

Computers.

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

(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.

Masonry.

a vertical joint.
the vertical dimension of a stone laid on its bed.

Verb Phrases

build in / into to build or incorporate as part of something else: to build in bookcases between the windows;an allowance for travel expenses built into the budget.

build up,

to develop or increase: to build up a bank account.
to strengthen.
to prepare in stages.
to fill in with houses; develop into an urban area.
to praise or flatter.

build out, to expand, construct, or develop: 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.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of build

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

OTHER WORDS FROM build

build·a·ble, adjectivemis·build, verb, mis·built, mis·build·ing.out·build, verb (used with object), out·built, out·build·ing.pre·build, verb (used with object), pre·built, pre·build·ing.

su·per·build, verb, su·per·built, su·per·build·ing.un·build·a·ble, adjectiveun·der·build, verb, un·der·built, un·der·build·ing.

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH build

billed, build

Words nearby build

buhl, buhr, buhrstone, BUI, buibui, build, buildable, build-down, builder, buildering, build in

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use build in a sentence

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.
5 Pieces of Gear That Help Me Stay Active During Winter|Jakob Schiller|February 11, 2021|Outside Online
I credit the premium goat leather, simple build, and burly stitched seams for this longevity.
The Best Ski Gloves Are the Simplest Ones|Joe Jackson|February 10, 2021|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.
Best all-in-one printer: Upgrade your home office with these multitasking machines|Carsen Joenk|February 8, 2021|Popular-Science
Blockchain could allow buyers to track their ad’s performance at every stage, potentially eliminating fraud and helping build trust.
The Brave New World of Advertising|Daniel Malloy|February 7, 2021|Ozy

For Lee, co-living during the pandemic helped her build trust and a sense of community with her roommates.
The Surprising Boom in Pandemic Co-Living|Charu Kasturi|February 4, 2021|Ozy
Those are saguaro cactuses…the big ones…birds make holes in them and build their nests inside.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile|Robert Ward|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Therefore, we should—you guessed it—develop the Canadian tar sands and build the Keystone pipeline.
How Canadian Oilmen Pinkwash the Keystone Pipeline|Jay Michaelson|December 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“He could build studios and he understood technology,” Jackson told The Daily Beast.
Alleged Cop Killer’s Blood-Soaked Screenplay|M.L. Nestel|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The narrator is suggesting that they build a snowman that looks like a minister.
The Most Confusing Christmas Music Lyrics Explained (VIDEO)|Kevin Fallon|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Regardless, few had been given any reason to believe they could build a life for themselves beyond the streets.
Bobby Shmurda and Rap’s Ultimate Hoop Dream|Rawiya Kameir|December 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They lived at first in a tent; no time to build a house, till the wheat and vegetables were planted.
Ramona|Helen Hunt Jackson
Now is the time to build for the future, and to avoid paying too much attention to immediate profits.
Readings in Money and Banking|Chester Arthur Phillips
The birds that build them swallow a certain kind of glutinous weed growing on the coral rocks.
Alila, Our Little Philippine Cousin|Mary Hazelton Wade
Ki Pak's servants proceeded to build a fire in the centre of the yard and the cook made preparations for getting supper.
Our Little Korean Cousin|H. Lee M. Pike
And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruits of them.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various

British Dictionary definitions for build

build

/ (bɪld) /

verb builds, building or built

to make, construct, or form by joining parts or materialsto build a house

(intr) to be a builder by profession

(tr) to order the building ofthe government builds most of our hospitals

(foll by on or upon) to base; foundhis theory was not built on facts

(tr) to establish and developit took ten years to build a business

(tr) to make in a particular way or for a particular purposethe car was not built for speed

(intr often foll by up) to increase in intensitythe wind was building

cards

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

noun

physical form, figure, or proportionsa man with an athletic build

Word Origin for build

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

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 build

build

In addition to the idioms beginning with build

build down
build in
build on
build on sand
build up

also see:

light (build) a fire under

Also see underbuilt.

build

Origin of build

OTHER WORDS FROM build

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH build

Words nearby build

Words related to build

How to use build in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for build

Word Origin for build

Other Idioms and Phrases with build