build

[ bild ]

/ bɪld /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR build 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 boys into men.

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.

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.

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.

Nearby words

buhlwork, buhr, buhrstone, bui, buibui, build, build down, build in, build into, build on, build on sand

Origin of build

before 1150; Middle English bilden, Old English byldan, derivative of bold, variant of botl dwelling, house

Related forms

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.

Can be confusedbilled build

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for build

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
The little bits of whalin'-steamers they build now only carry a little pram or two, nothin' like this boat you're in now.
The Boy With the U. S. Fisheries|Francis Rolt-Wheeler
Stay with us and learn our language,” one of them said: “become our father and our friend, and we will build you a house.
Pioneers and Founders|Charlotte Mary Yonge
Railroads helped to settle the west and build up states beyond the Mississippi.
The Beginner's American History|D. H. Montgomery
I tell you that down the O-hi-o I will go, and build forts on it.
The Life of George Washington|Josephine Pollard
Now I know that no one can build his security upon the nobleness of another person.
Alexander's Bridge and The Barrel Organ|Willa Cather and Alfred Noyes

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

Word Origin and History for build (1 of 2)

build

late Old English byldan "construct a house," verb form of bold "house," from Proto-Germanic *buthlam (cf. Old Saxon bodl, Old Frisian bodel "building, house"), from PIE *bhu- "to dwell," from root *bheue- "to be, exist, grow" (see be). Rare in Old English; in Middle English it won out over more common Old English timbran (see timber). Modern spelling is unexplained. Figurative use from mid-15c. Of physical things other than buildings from late 16c. Related: Builded (archaic); built; building.

In the United States, this verb is used with much more latitude than in England. There, as Fennimore Cooper puts it, everything is BUILT. The priest BUILDS up a flock; the speculator a fortune; the lawyer a reputation; the landlord a town; and the tailor, as in England, BUILDS up a suit of clothes. A fire is BUILT instead of made, and the expression is even extended to individuals, to be BUILT being used with the meaning of formed. [Farmer, "Slang and Its Analogues," 1890]

Word Origin and History for build (1 of 2)

build

"style of construction," 1660s, from build (v.). Earlier in this sense was built (1610s). Meaning "physical construction and fitness of a person" attested by 1981. Earliest sense, now obsolete, was "a building" (early 14c.).

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

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

verb (used without object), built or (Archaic) build·ed; build·ing.

noun

Verb Phrases

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British Dictionary definitions for build

build

verb builds, building or built

noun

Word Origin for build

Word Origin and History for build (1 of 2)

build

Word Origin and History for build (1 of 2)

build

Idioms and Phrases with build

build

build

verb (used without object), built or (Archaic) build·ed; build·ing.

noun

Verb Phrases

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Nearby words

Origin of build

Examples from the Web for build

British Dictionary definitions for.css-ylq2vz{color:#1a1a1a;} build

build

verb builds, building or built

noun

Word Origin for build

Word Origin and History for build (1 of 2)

build

Word Origin and History for build (1 of 2)

build

Idioms and Phrases with build

build

British Dictionary definitions for build