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

buhl, 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 confused

billed build

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

British Dictionary definitions for build on

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

Idioms and Phrases with build on (1 of 2)

build on

Also, build upon. Add as an extension; use as a basis or foundation. For example, They decided to build on an addition, or She was building all her hopes on passing the exam. John Locke had this idiom in his treatise on government (1689): “Sovereignty built on ‘property’ . . . comes to nothing.” [Late 1600s]

Idioms and Phrases with build on (2 of 2)

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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Nearby words

Origin of build

Related forms

Can be confused

British Dictionary definitions for build on

build

verb builds, building or built

noun

Word Origin for build

Idioms and Phrases with build on (1 of 2)

build on

Idioms and Phrases with build on (2 of 2)

build