world-building

noun

world-build·​ing ˈwərl(d)-ˈbil-diŋ 

variants or less commonly world building or worldbuilding

: the creation of a fictional world (especially within the science fiction and fantasy genres) that is believable and consistent within the context of the story

The game pushes the limits of the PS4 graphically and packs so much mythos and backstory into its world-building that at times it feels more like a novel than a video game.

—Patrick Shanley

In my opinion, no one does world-building as well as Kate Elliott. It's subtle … but the world, culture, and societies she creates feel solid. If you think about them when you close the book, you can see how they could work; how the economics could work, how the governing could work, how the cultures formed.

—Michelle West

In postapocalyptic stories, world building typically emphasizes the new reality: new vocabulary to learn, new systems of government to understand, new social norms to parse.

—Shirley Li

It sounds like a lot to take in, but "The Sandman" neatly avoids many genre show pitfalls. While at times its premise and worldbuilding do feel a bit murky, for the most part, it's even less confusing for a layman to get into than other sprawling similar shows such as "Westworld" or "The Witcher."

—Lauren Sarner

Examples of world-building in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There is a timelessness to Margaret’s writing and world-building — the details of her worlds feel both ancient and nostalgic and also alarmingly immediate. —Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 4 June 2026

Beauman’s world-building cleverly balances the probably hyperbolic and the eerily plausible. —Tessa Yang, PEOPLE, 2 June 2026

More than just digital wayfinding aids, maps are strategic tools of world-building. —Patty Heyda, The Conversation, 1 June 2026

Parsons spoke to IndieWire in detail about his debut film‘s shot construction, visual effects, sound design, and narrative world-building. —Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 31 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1983, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for world-building

• boatbuilding
• outbuilding
• rebuilding
• roadbuilding
• shipbuilding
• upbuilding
• bodybuilding
• building
• gilding