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

Beijing spent years building the scaffolding for a petroyuan system at enormous diplomatic and financial cost.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

Five unions — including school clerical workers, plant and cafeteria managers, building trades and school police — settled their contracts previously.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2026

In addition to building the vast power facility on the site, there are plans for several hydrogen production factories.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

Orange and Microsoft are part of a 16-member consortium building the SEA-ME-WE system.

From Barron's • Apr. 12, 2026

In the light of the street lamps, the sick-call line stretched to the edge of the building and out of sight around the corner.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

Related Words

• architecture
• construction
• home
• house
• hut