build

verb \ ˈbild \

Definition of build

built play \ˈbilt\; building

transitive verb

1 :to form by ordering and uniting materials by gradual means into a composite whole :construct

birds building a nest

build new hospitals and schools

the boat her father built

2 :to cause to be constructed

a contractor who has built hundreds of homes

3 :to develop according to a systematic plan, by a definite process, or on a particular base

building a legal case against her

built the organization from the ground up

4 :increase, enlarge

helps build muscle

build support for their candidate

building friendships

intransitive verb

1 :to engage in building

2 a :to progress toward a peak (as of intensity)

build to a climax

b :to develop in extent

a crowd building

— build a fire under

:to stimulate to vigorous action

— build into

:to make an integral part of

build quality into the product

— build on

:to use as a foundation

building on past experience

See build defined for English-language learners

See build defined for kids

Examples of build in a Sentence

The bridge was built in the 1890s.
The planes were built in Germany.
The organization helps build houses for poor families.
A family of birds has built a nest on our roof.
She started building a fire in the fireplace.
He built a model airplane from a kit.
You will need permission to build on your property.
They are building a legal case against the tobacco industry.
scientists building theories about how the universe began
At college, you'll build friendships that will last a lifetime.

Recent Examples of build from the Web

If Arya or Jaime kills Cersei and Jon kills the Night’s King, then the monsters will be vanquished and the good Kings and Queens will be able to build a democracy in peace, forever.

— michelle weber, Longreads, "The Rising Seas Are Coming From Inside the House," 30 Aug. 2017
The cuts are in line with Amazon’s business plan to attract customers and build loyalty.

— matt campbell, kansascity, "Here are some of the Whole Foods savings you can find now that Amazon has taken over," 30 Aug. 2017
The two-room schoolhouse was built in 1913, of yellow brick, with an elegant bell tower.

— polly campbell, Cincinnati.com, "Peace, Love and Hippie Hash in Warren County," 30 Aug. 2017
With a new head coach and experienced staff, Tech expects to build upon a positive step the program achieved last year.

— randy mcroberts, The Aegis, "2017 high school football preview," 30 Aug. 2017
Dimensional Fund Advisors is building a new, seven-story building for its East Coast headquarters.

— katherine peralta, charlotteobserver, "Beer garden on tap for a booming part of South End," 30 Aug. 2017
Faherty's team built a web site and phone app that would allow amateurs to use real astronomical data to find these objects that might ordinarily get missed.

— jesse emspak, Smithsonian, "Astronomy Needs You: To Help in the Hunt for Planet 9," 28 Aug. 2017
The Wall was built by the Children of the Forest and the First Men (let by Brandon the Builder) to defend Westeros from the White Walkers.

— joanna robinson, HWD, "Game of Thrones: Honoring the Death of the Show’s Most Important Character," 27 Aug. 2017
The complex was built by the Volunteers of America of Illinois.

— susan demar lafferty, Daily Southtown, "New housing gives hope to Will County veterans," 26 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'build.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of build

Middle English bilden, from Old English byldan; akin to Old English būan to dwell — more at bower

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

build Synonyms

Synonyms

assemble, confect, construct, erect, fabricate, make, make up, piece, put up, raise, rear, set up, put together

build

noun

Definition of build

:form or mode of structure :make

the boxy build of the car

; especially :bodily conformation of a person or animal

a man of stocky build

See build defined for English-language learners

Examples of build in a Sentence

He is strong and muscular in build.
a man of average build

Recent Examples of build from the Web

Still, the public cares about more than just a fight’s outcome; the build-up and the aftermath are part of the story, too.

— nancy kidder, The Atlantic, "Four Ways of Looking at Mayweather vs. McGregor," 25 Aug. 2017
Doing a quality build on an early muscle car can easily be a $100,000 investment.

— j. daniel jones, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Modern engineering creates iconic old-school Magnaflow sound," 24 Aug. 2017
The suspect is described as having a large build, between 6 feet 2 inches and 6 feet 6 inches tall, wearing a dark suit, white button-down shirt, multicolored tie and a hat.

— mike nolan, Daily Southtown, "FBI: Two banks robbed by same man hours apart," 26 July 2017
This was Avirgan’s dilemma for 30 for 30 Podcasts, which launched its first season in late June with an exploration of Reebok’s marketing build-up for 1992 Olympics, a campaign built around decathlon favorites Dan O’Brien and Dave Johnson.

— matt giles, Longreads, "Inside ESPN’s ’30 for 30 Podcasts’ Launch," 19 July 2017
The Chinese government warned recently that the build-up of company debt could pose a risk to China’s banking system.

— The Economist, "Business this week," 13 July 2017
Classes range from aerial yoga to Pilates, all of which use suspension to alleviate joint pain and build strength.

— by chloe herring, brooke henderson and samantha j. gross, miamiherald, "Workouts that will keep you cool during the sultry summer months," 11 July 2017
Visit the website for amazing builds, creative creations, brick lists and more.

— South Florida Parenting, "Summer reading: Books to keep kids learning," 3 July 2017
Kidspace Museum is also overseeing hands-on projects, including a build-your-own-instrument station.

— marielle wakim, Los Angeles Magazine, "These Are the Bands You Can’t Miss at Arroyo Seco Weekend, According to the Headliners," 20 June 2017

Origin and Etymology of build

see ¹build

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1667

See Words from the same year

build Synonyms

Synonyms

physique, constitution, figure, form, frame, habit, shape

Related Words

anatomy, structure

Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, cartilage, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral

BUILD Defined for English Language Learners

build

verb

Definition of build for English Language Learners

: to make (something) by putting together parts or materials
: to develop or form (something) gradually
: to increase the amount of (something)

build

noun

Definition of build for English Language Learners

: the shape and size of a person's body

BUILD Defined for Kids

build

verb \ ˈbild \

Definition of build for Students

built \ˈbilt\; building

1 :to make by putting together parts or materials

2 :to produce or create gradually by effort

It takes time to build a winning team.

3 :to grow or increase to a high point or level

Excitement was building.

Synonym Discussion of build

build, construct, and erect mean to make a structure. build is used for putting together several parts or materials to form something.

- Workers are building the house.

construct is used for the designing of something and the process of fitting its parts together.

- Engineers constructed a system of dams across the river.

erect is used for the idea of building something that stands up.

- The tower was erected many years ago.

build

noun

Definition of build for Students

:the shape and size of a person's or animal's body The boy has a slender build.

Learn More about build

See words that rhyme with build Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for build Spanish Central: Translation of build Nglish: Translation of build for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of build for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about build

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build

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BUILD Defined for English Language Learners

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build

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