building

[bil-ding]

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.

building

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• buildingless adjective
• underbuilding noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of building¹

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

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

Even though the attorney doesn’t name DoorDash in the letter, the building’s lease has been linked to the company.

From Los Angeles Times

Authorities are going “building to building” at Utah Valley University, searching for the person who fatally shot conservative activist Charlie Kirk and escorting students away from the campus.

From Salon

The president says: "I want to thank Charlie, he's an incredible guy, his spirit, his love of this country, he's done an amazing job building one of the most powerful youth organisations ever created."

From BBC

The Turning Point USA founder was running an event at the school near Provo when shots rang out from a nearby building.

From Salon

The building has been evacuated by fire crews wearing breathing apparatus.

From BBC

Related Words

• architecture 
• construction 
• home 
• house 
• hut