buildup

American  

[bild-uhp] / ˈbɪldˌʌp /

Or build-up

noun

• buildups
  plural

1. a building up, as of military forces; increase in amount or number.

2. a process of growth; strengthening; development.

   the buildup of heavy industry.

3. an accumulation, as of a particular type of material.

   a buildup of salt deposits.

4. an increase, as in potential, intensity, or pressure.

   A buildup of suspense began halfway through the movie.

5. a progressive or sequential development.

   the buildup of helium atoms from hydrogen.

6. praise or publicity designed to enhance a reputation or popularize someone or something.

   The studio spent $100,000 on the new star's buildup.

7. a process of preparation designed to make possible the achievement of an ultimate objective.

   a lengthy buildup to a sales pitch.

8. encouragement; a psychological lift.

   Every time I need a buildup, I look at her picture.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• buildups
  plural

Etymology

Origin of buildup

1925–30, noun use of verb phrase build up

Explanation

The slow growth or increase of something is a buildup. Over the course of a winter storm, there will be a buildup of snow on the car that's parked in your driveway. The process of something collecting or growing is a buildup, and so is its result. As you buy more and more things with a credit card, you'll see a buildup of debt. And If you venture into your uncle's spooky attic where no one's dared to go for years, there's bound to be a buildup of dust on every surface. Buildup has also come to mean "increasing excitement, preparation, or publicity," like the buildup before Christmas at the mall.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

buildup buildups

Amyloid buildup is one of the major biological features associated with Alzheimer's disease.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 31, 2026

“Fans love drama, buildup, internet gossip, beef and story lines, and I think fighting naturally lends itself to that,” Paul said in an interview with The Wall Street Journal.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 30, 2026

I’ve thought about whether AI could eventually play a role of a central banker, detecting bubbles or risk buildup that humans might miss.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 27, 2026

It is commonly associated with the buildup of amyloid-β plaques and tau tangles in the brain.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 26, 2026

There is much buildup to the engagement, and then the book ends quickly with a happy wedding.

From "Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith" by Deborah Heiligman

Without global hegemonic ambitions, these countries are less likely to pursue costly military buildups.

From Barron's ● Apr. 27, 2026

“While we aren’t yet seeing massive on-chain buildups, whales at least appear to have ceased distribution and shifted toward gradual accumulation,” Hasn told MarketWatch.

From MarketWatch ● Feb. 2, 2026

Staffers routinely rely on satellite data to track down pressure buildups.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 26, 2025

These conditions are driven by harmful buildups in the brain made of misfolded amyloid proteins.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 27, 2025

And the best way to send this message was by massive and ongoing buildups of their stockpiles of nuclear weapons.

From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau

Related Words

• enlargement
• escalation
• expansion
• growth
• stockpile