built-in
Americanadjective
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built so as to be an integral and permanent part of a larger construction.
The wall has a built-in bookcase.
-
existing as a natural or characteristic part of something; inherent.
a built-in contempt for daydreaming.
noun
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a built-in piece of furniture or appliance.
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an additional feature or capability, as of a machine or a service.
a car with power steering, power brakes, and other built-ins.
adjective
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made or incorporated as an integral part
a built-in cupboard
a built-in escape clause
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essential; inherent
noun
Etymology
Origin of built-in
First recorded in 1895–1900
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
And when money or energy is tight, that kind of built-in personality matters.
From Salon • May 19, 2026
In effect, the barrier zones act like built-in brakes inside the fault.
From Science Daily • May 16, 2026
The Google built-in infotainment system doesn’t support Apple CarPlay, alas.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 16, 2026
The vessel had a built-in GPS that could have been affected by bad weather and sensors that were broken when it was discovered, according to public broadcaster ERT.
From BBC • May 9, 2026
Soft music plays from some sort of built-in sound system.
From "Warcross" by Marie Lu
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
