building block

American  

noun

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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Etymology

Origin of building block

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

“And it was such a building block for so many other things in my life.”

From Los Angeles Times

The team identified one phase in particular, β-W2C, that showed exceptional performance in reactions that convert carbon dioxide into key building blocks for fuels and useful chemicals.

From Science Daily

The researchers see a growing practical need to develop new molecular building blocks that can support increasingly sophisticated drug discovery efforts.

From Science Daily

Early advertising campaigns helped popularize terms like "litterbug," while today the focus has shifted to "chemical recycling," promoted by industry as a way to break plastics down into their basic building blocks.

From Barron's

During this process, tiny chemical building blocks can be delivered to newly formed rocky worlds.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• constituent
• ingredient