buildup

or build-up

[ bild-uhp ]

/ ˈbɪldˌʌp /

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See synonyms for buildup on Thesaurus.com

noun

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

a process of growth; strengthening; development: the buildup of heavy industry.

an accumulation, as of a particular type of material: a buildup of salt deposits.

an increase, as in potential, intensity, or pressure: A buildup of suspense began halfway through the movie.

a progressive or sequential development: the buildup of helium atoms from hydrogen.

praise or publicity designed to enhance a reputation or popularize someone or something: The studio spent $100,000 on the new star's buildup.

a process of preparation designed to make possible the achievement of an ultimate objective: a lengthy buildup to a sales pitch.

encouragement; a psychological lift: Every time I need a buildup, I look at her picture.

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Origin of buildup

1925–30, Americanism; noun use of verb phrase build up

Words nearby buildup

building trades, build into, build on, build on sand, buildout, buildup, built, built cane, built-in, built-in obsolescence, built-up

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use buildup in a sentence

Despite the media buildup stressing the tenseness of Washington’s mood, one didn’t feel the anxiety.
America yearns for an era of good feeling. The inaugural ceremony launched one.|Peter Marks|January 20, 2021|Washington Post
The fan will help speed up the evaporation mechanism and distribute moisture over a wider area, the larger water tank will accommodate infrequent water changes, and the filter will prevent large-scale dust and mold buildup.
The best humidifier: Fight dry air (and a dry nose) all winter long|PopSci Commerce Team|January 15, 2021|Popular-Science
Tokyo’s supporters will point out that the buildup to every Games is dogged by problems.
Can Tokyo Safely Host the Olympic Games This Summer?|Charlie Campbell|January 12, 2021|Time
There’s a great deal of slow story buildup until the last 10 minutes or so, at which point about three movies’ worth of plot hit at once.
In Herself, a Young Dublin Mother Builds a House to Find Her Way Home|Stephanie Zacharek|January 8, 2021|Time

As we age, the scaffolding on which our cells sit accumulates protein buildup that makes it stiffer.
Cracking the code of biological aging could solve America’s health care crisis|matthewheimer|December 30, 2020|Fortune
Never mind the huge buildup of clandestine operatives and secret warriors since 9/11.
ISIS Fight Has a Spy Shortage, Intel Chair Says|Kimberly Dozier|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The whole season for me was about the buildup to the wedding.
Jesse Tyler Ferguson's Personal Stories Behind His 'Modern Family' Marriage Arc|Jesse Tyler Ferguson|August 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
That sounds small, but the buildup of Hezbollah forces in Syria was gradual, too.
Hezbollah’s Widening War Spreads to Iraq|Jamie Dettmer|August 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The core of the story is set against the backdrop of the Iraq invasion, the buildup, and the immediate aftermath.
Newsweek Takedown From Beyond the Grave: Michael Hastings’s Fiction Tells the Truth|Christopher Dickey|June 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Although USGA still operates, many LGBT undergrads feel it went down hill after an initial buildup.
Mormon U. Forces Gays to Be Celibate|Emily Shire|May 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But they did not alter the basic war orientation of their economies and they pressed on with the industrial-military buildup.
East-West Trade Trends|Harold E. Stassen
Of course it was another piece of callow whistling in the dark, but it was a buildup, too.
The Planet Strappers|Raymond Zinke Gallun
Finally, we shifted our emphasis from defense to domestic problems while our adversaries continued a massive buildup of arms.
Complete State of the Union Addresses from 1790 to 2006|Various
In other free countries the defense buildup has created severe economic problems.
State of the Union Addresses of Harry S. Truman|Harry S. Truman
From the big buildup, he had had half a notion that the President himself might be there.
Damned If You Don't|Gordon Randall Garrett

British Dictionary definitions for buildup

build up

verb (adverb)

(tr) to construct gradually, systematically, and in stages

to increase, accumulate, or strengthen, esp by degreesthe murmur built up to a roar

(intr) to prepare for or gradually approach a climax

(tr) to improve the health or physique of (a person)

(tr, usually passive) to cover (an area) with buildings

(tr) to cause (a person, enterprise, etc) to become better known; publicizethey built several actresses up into stars

noun build-up

progressive increase in number, size, etcthe build-up of industry

a gradual approach to a climax or critical point

the training and practice that constitutes the preparation for a particular event or competitionthe team's Olympic build-up

extravagant publicity or praise, esp in the form of a campaign

military the process of attaining the required strength of forces and equipment, esp prior to an operation

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with buildup

build up

Fill an area with houses or other buildings, urbanize. For example, We want to protect the wetlands against those who want to build up the area. [c. 1400]

Gradually develop, increase in stages. For example, I want to build up my endurance for the race. [Early 1700s]

Accumulate or collect, as in A lot of rust has built up on the farm machinery. [Mid-1900s]

Increase, strengthen, develop toward, as in The sound built up until it was nearly deafening, or His argument was building up to a grand climax. [c. 1930]

Establish or enhance a reputation; praise or flatter. For example, Months before the official campaign could begin, they had been building up the senator's image. [c. 1930]