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.

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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

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• building blocks
  plural

Etymology

Origin of building block

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

Researchers are especially interested in Psyche because it may represent the exposed metallic core of an ancient planetesimal, a building block of planets that formed early in the solar system's history.

From Science Daily • May 23, 2026

Cheap, reliable exchange-traded funds are a basic building block of investing.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 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

Speaking to TNT Sports, returning captain John McGinn suggested that the result had provided Villa with a "building block" and the opportunity to "reset" after a difficult few weeks.

From BBC • Mar. 12, 2026

Using sun-dried brick as a basic building block, the Mesopotamians devised complex cities centered around the temple.

From "The Annotated Mona Lisa" by Carol Strickland and John Boswell

Related Words

• constituent
• ingredient