Definition of build
(Entry 1 of 2)
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
1
: to engage in building
2a
: to progress toward a peak (as of intensity)
build to a climax
b
: to develop in extent
a crowd building
build a fire under
build into
build on
: to stimulate to vigorous action
: to make an integral part of
build quality into the product
: to use as a foundation
building on past experience
build
noun
plural builds
Definition of build (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: 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
2
: a version or iteration of a product or component
We worked with several builds of the beta code, which was in itself instructive. Things that worked perfectly in one version stopped working at all in the next release.— Bill Machrone et al.
Test Your Vocabulary
Words Named After People
-
- Namesake of the leotard, Jules Léotard had what profession?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!
TAKE THE QUIZ
A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share build
Time Traveler for build
The first known use of build was before the 12th century
See more words from the same century