noun
-
a person who builds, esp one who contracts for and supervises the construction or repair of buildings
-
a substance added to a soap or detergent as a filler or abrasive
Other Word Forms
- underbuilder noun
Etymology
Origin of builder
First recorded in 1350–1400, builder is from the Middle English word bildere. See build, -er 1
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.
Horton, the nation’s largest home builder by market capitalization.
From Barron's • Apr. 20, 2026
Reza Akef, a builder in the Palisades and chair of the Pacific Palisades Community Council’s Infrastructure Committee, said people do consider these incentives in deciding what appliances to buy.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 18, 2026
Closing that gap requires the government to show up as a builder, a buyer and a champion.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026
Cameco owns a 49% stake in nuclear reactor builder Westinghouse, giving it SMR exposure.
From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026
He ordered the builder of the Electricity Building to double his workforce and to put the men to work at night under electric lights.
From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson
![]()
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.