buildup
or build-up
a building up, as of military forces; increase in amount or number.
a process of growth; strengthening; development: the buildup of heavy industry.
an accumulation, as of a particular type of material: a buildup of salt deposits.
an increase, as in potential, intensity, or pressure: A buildup of suspense began halfway through the movie.
a progressive or sequential development: the buildup of helium atoms from hydrogen.
praise or publicity designed to enhance a reputation or popularize someone or something: The studio spent $100,000 on the new star's buildup.
a process of preparation designed to make possible the achievement of an ultimate objective: a lengthy buildup to a sales pitch.
encouragement; a psychological lift: Every time I need a buildup, I look at her picture.
Origin of buildup
1Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use buildup in a sentence
To try to counter the Russian military build-up, Kiev has redeployed more forces eastward.
Putin Is Lying on Ukraine—and the West Can’t Stop Him | Jamie Dettmer | November 14, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThey have been there already helping to build up the air force in Iraq.
The first few snowfalls you'd build up your banks, and then when the snow melts it runs off the banks and freezes.
There are many terms for this kind of breathing, but the general purpose is to build up heat.
Most researchers think the disease is caused by the build-up of beta amyloid.
Twenty Years of Alzheimer’s Research May Have Focused on the Wrong Protein | Elizabeth Lopatto | April 4, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Sir Daniel then shows that it was possible to build up the marvellous Scottish banking system only on the character so built.
Third class in Indian railways | Mahatma GandhiDraw thee water for the siege, build up thy bulwarks: go into the clay, and tread, work it and make brick.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version | VariousShe needed to build up a stranger constitution and her friends were sure the western air would help as no medicine could.
The Adventure Girls at K Bar O | Clair BlankBut they had not yet received power sufficient to fully organize and build up that kingdom on the earth.
The Kingdom of God, Part 1 | Orson PrattThey already had power to work mighty miracles, but had not the power to build up the kingdom of God.
The Kingdom of God, Part 1 | Orson Pratt
British Dictionary definitions for build up
(tr) to construct gradually, systematically, and in stages
to increase, accumulate, or strengthen, esp by degrees: the murmur built up to a roar
(intr) to prepare for or gradually approach a climax
(tr) to improve the health or physique of (a person)
(tr, usually passive) to cover (an area) with buildings
(tr) to cause (a person, enterprise, etc) to become better known; publicize: they built several actresses up into stars
progressive increase in number, size, etc: the build-up of industry
a gradual approach to a climax or critical point
the training and practice that constitutes the preparation for a particular event or competition: the team's Olympic build-up
extravagant publicity or praise, esp in the form of a campaign
military the process of attaining the required strength of forces and equipment, esp prior to an operation
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 buildup
Fill an area with houses or other buildings, urbanize. For example, We want to protect the wetlands against those who want to build up the area. [c. 1400]
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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