build

verb

\ ˈbild

built\ ˈbilt

\; building

Definition of build

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

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

: 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

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.

Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about build

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Choose the Right Synonym for build

Verb

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.

Examples of build in a Sentence

Verb

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.

Noun

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

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Singer and American Idol judge Lionel Richie has long been a music industry icon, building himself a long career filled with chart-topping hits and multiple Grammy awards. — Heather Finn, Good Housekeeping, "Every Question About 'American Idol' Judge Lionel Richie's Famous Kids, Answered," 6 Apr. 2019 Indeed, when Related Companies took over the development, it was decided that the Shed would be built into 15 Hudson Yards, an 88-story high-rise with apartments listed for up to $32 million. — Chloe Malle, Town & Country, "Is the Shed the Defining Arts Institution of a New New York City?," 14 Mar. 2019 These committees have to build will in the American people for impeachment. — Lucy Diavolo, Teen Vogue, "Nancy Pelosi Says Donald Trump Isn’t Worth Impeaching Because it Could Be Too “Divisive”," 12 Mar. 2019 The result was Time’s Up, an organization committed to building a world that insists on safe, fair, and dignified work for women of all kinds. — Marie Claire, "Deep Dives," 7 Mar. 2019 SpaceX released photos of its Crew Dragon spacecraft this week, and the company showed off the vehicle's built-in solar arrays as well as its Falcon 9 launch vehicle being integrated for launch. — Eric Berger, Ars Technica, "Rocket Report: Rokot ending, more spaceports, back-to-back Falcon Heavies," 21 Dec. 2018 According to Wallpaper, many of the original details, like door handles, radiator caps, built-in furniture units, and window casings, will be preserved and restored. — Liz Stinson, Curbed, "This Brutalist masterpiece is now a gorgeous coworking space," 12 Dec. 2018 The techs work 8-hour days, but with a one-hour lunch break built into their schedules. — Jennifer Lance, Glamour, "What No One Tells You About Tipping at the Nail Salon," 12 Dec. 2018 The Olympic was the first to be built, and as the line's namesake, considered the lead ship. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "The Wild Conspiracy That the Titanic Never Sank," 27 Feb. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Pros: Clean sound, no distortion, solid build, comfortable, nice case, inexpensive. — Jim Rossman, The Seattle Times, "Tech review: Simgot in-ear monitors offer great sound and a great price," 13 Apr. 2019 Students who are engaged build relationships on campus with professors and mentors and get involved on campus in projects, internships and extracurriculars. — Sue Shellenbarger, WSJ, "Remember, It’s Their College Years, Not Yours," 16 Mar. 2019 The latest Windows 10 insider build, 18305, is taking this a step further, including not just emoji but also kaomoji and symbols. — Peter Bright, Ars Technica, "Windows 10 will make it easier to ¯∖_(ツ)_/¯ and (╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻," 20 Dec. 2018 That’s build of materials — a lower cost for you and a lower cost for the consumers. — Gautam Srikishan, The Verge, "Anker CEO Steven Yang is all in on USB-C," 6 Nov. 2018 There was nothing Al couldn’t fix, re-build, or make new. — OrlandoSentinel.com, "Deaths in Central Florida: 6/26," 26 June 2018 High Scores has committed to an annual custom arcade game build, to give their arcades more of a museum feel, and surprise customers. — Peter Hartlaub, SFChronicle.com, "‘Oregon Trail’ as art, computer classic returns as custom arcade game," 19 June 2018 Police say the suspect is an African-American male, between 5 feet, 7 inches and 5 feet, 10 inches tall, with a medium to stocky build, brown eyes, black hair, and a medium to dark complexion. — Crimesider Staff, CBS News, ""John Doe" DNA-based indictment in hotel rapist case a first for D.C.," 19 June 2018 The suspect is described as an African-American man in his 30s, medium build, wearing a light-colored shirt and light-colored shorts, Carbajal said. — Nathan J. Fish, azcentral, "Man found shot to death in Phoenix apartment; suspect sought," 5 June 2018

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.