building block

American  

noun

• building blocks
  plural

1. block.

2. one of a set of cube-shaped blocks used by children to make simple constructions.

3. a basic element or component.

   the building blocks of proteins.

---

building block British  

noun

1. a block of stone or other material, larger than a brick, used in building

2. a component that fits with others to form a whole

   standardized software building blocks

3. another name for (the child's toy) block

---

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• building blocks
  plural

---

Etymology

Origin of building block

First recorded in 1840–50

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

building block

Promotional images and films conjured a playful, adaptable and benevolent house — plastic as the building block of family happiness.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2026

Their basic building block measures just 10cm by 10cm by 10cm - think of something about the size of a Rubik's Cube.

From BBC ● Oct. 5, 2026

In a study published in Nature Communications, the researchers found that tubulin, a protein that serves as the building block of microtubules, may help prevent these toxic accumulations.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 21, 2026

It will be a building block and a key ingredient in every new “unicorn” — a company with a valuation of at least $1 billion.

From MarketWatch ● Apr. 21, 2026

It would be lovely to cuddle up beside her while Georgie sat nearby, building block towers and pretending not to listen.

From "The Old Willis Place" by Mary Downing Hahn

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---

Related Words

• constituent
• ingredient

---