building

American  

[bil-ding] / ˈbɪl dɪŋ /

noun

1. a relatively permanent enclosed construction over a plot of land, having a roof and usually windows and often more than one level, used for any of a wide variety of activities, as living, entertaining, or manufacturing.

2. anything built built or constructed.

3. the act, business, or practice of constructing houses, office buildings, etc.

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building British  

/ ˈbɪldɪŋ /

noun

1. something built with a roof and walls, such as a house or factory

2. the act, business, occupation, or art of building houses, boats, etc

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Related Words

Building, edifice, structure refer to something built. Building and structure may apply to either a finished or an unfinished product of construction, and carry no implications as to size or condition. Edifice is a more formal word and narrower in application, referring to a completed structure, and usually a large and imposing one. Building generally connotes a useful purpose (houses, schools, business offices, etc.); structure suggests the planning and constructive process.

Other Word Forms

• buildingless adjective
• underbuilding noun

Etymology

Origin of building

First recorded in 1250–1300, building is from the Middle English word byldinge. See build, -ing ¹

Explanation

Building is the process of making something. Building Lego cities and towns is the favorite activity of many kids. When a construction company is building a structure like a grocery store or a school, you can say it's building a building. Anything from a small house to a skyscraper can be called a building, and both meanings of the word come from the verb build, with its Old English root byldan, "build or construct a house."

Example Sentences

One designated address, in a commercial building on a floor shared with a Chinese medicine practitioner, a mahjong tile store and a luxury watch shop, is now a nail salon.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026

It’s part of a broader shift toward building new demand engines as exports and investments lose some of their punch.

From Barron's • Apr. 11, 2026

When firefighters first arrived, they were quickly forced out of the building due to “extremely rapid fire growth” and assumed a defensive position, battling the blaze with high-volume hoses, according to the Ontario Fire Department.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

Private companies are building rockets and landers with genuine urgency.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

Ba’s ship ticket, the money advanced for purchases on his trip, the rent for our building .

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu

Related Words

• architecture
• construction
• home
• house
• hut