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

He was stuffed inside a van with his neighbors for what felt like several hours until agents told them the building was clear, he said.”

From Salon

Instead, the screeners are carefully crafted to test the pre-reading skills that form the building blocks for literacy, including a child’s ability to manipulate sounds, name objects, and remember a list of words.

From Los Angeles Times

Celtic roundhouses and a prince's court are among the ancient buildings found in this green and quiet corner of the capital.

From BBC

“This partnership is a major step in building the compute capacity needed to realize AI’s full potential,” Altman, chief executive of OpenAI, said in a news release.

From Los Angeles Times

No-one was injured in the incident but the front entrance of the building and a vehicle parked outside were damaged, according to police.

From BBC

Related Words

• architecture 
• construction 
• home 
• house 
• hut