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

Most importantly, the company has been building out Amazon Pay, its digital wallet that consumers use at outside merchants for payment on their sites. — Emily Glazer, WSJ, "Jeff Bezos and Jamie Dimon: Best of Frenemies," 5 Jan. 2019 Costa hashed out the concept in secret for six months, even building out a brand book. — Eviana Hartman, Vogue, "Francisco Costa is Back—With the Chicest Sustainable Beauty Brand You’ve Ever Seen," 16 Dec. 2018 There's a new Windows Insider build out today, and the biggest changes appear to be none other than Notepad, Windows' venerable barebones text editor. — Peter Bright, Ars Technica, "Latest Windows Insider build makes a major upgrade to, uh… Notepad," 10 Dec. 2018 Assess their support system, and figure out ways to build it out. — Jacqueline Andriakos, SELF, "How to Provide Quality Care for Someone You Love With Alzheimer’s," 4 Dec. 2018 An audio jack connects to your phone or mp3 player to play music, and a built-in recorder and voice distorter add to the fun. — Bree Coven Foster, The Seattle Times, "5 tech gifts for under $50," 20 Nov. 2018 Roma is at times quite funny, always in a way that builds out its world more richly (a recurring gag with a car that’s barely able to get into the driveway turns into something more substantial later in the film). — Alissa Wilkinson, Vox, "Roma, from celebrated director Alfonso Cuarón, is one of the year’s best movies," 20 Nov. 2018 According to The Week, documents posted on the King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council website revealed a plan to get rid of an old tennis court on the property, and build a new one with artificial turf. — Chloe Foussianes, Town & Country, "Everything You Need to Know About Anmer Hall, Prince William and Kate Middleton's Country Home," 23 Dec. 2018 Wooden features abound: thick trim around doors and windows, built-in bookshelves and window seats, boxed beams along the ceiling, etc. — Maggie Burch, House Beautiful, "There's A Reason Original Craftsman Style Homes Are Still Around After 100 Years," 21 Nov. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Black Friday and Cyber Monday offered better deals on 4K HDR TVs in this size range, but TCL’s offering is most likely a step above in terms of build quality and performance. — Cameron Faulkner, The Verge, "TCL’s excellent 6-Series 4K TV is only $499.99 at Best Buy," 17 Dec. 2018 The couple just had the most gorgeous, elaborate wedding in India—and the build-up to their big day was equally as lavish. — Christopher Rosa, Glamour, "You Have All the Money. Why Are You Sponsoring Your Wedding?," 5 Dec. 2018 Prices had been under pressure after the American Petroleum Institute, an industry group, reported its own estimates of a 5.7 million-barrel build. — Stephanie Yang, WSJ, "Oil Drops to Finish a Weak October," 31 Oct. 2018 Level Two will require greater complexity with 100 percent completion and an understanding of the hydraulics of each build. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Here's What NASA Thinks Mars Houses Could Look Like," 30 July 2018 For volleyball, which went winless (0-20) in the Pac-12 for the first time, faces more of a long-term build under second-year coach Sanja Tomasevic. — Jeff Metcalfe, azcentral, "ASU volleyball turns to corporate consultant for help after winless Pac-12 season," 30 June 2018 Komenda’s skill at layering vintage and contemporary furnishings with color and texture felt particularly suited for a pair of new builds that were aching for hand-me-down character. — Chantal Lamers, Sunset, "How to Design a Pair of Family Cabins," 22 Jan. 2018 Each build-out is custom, so pricing varies, with many running well over $100,000—cost of the van included. — Megan Barber, Curbed, "Camper van with skylights lives large in 100 square feet," 17 Dec. 2018 The build quality of this Elitebook matches that of last year's model. — Valentina Palladino, Ars Technica, "HP Elitebook x360 1030 review: Small tweaks made to a stylish work 2-in-1," 16 Nov. 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.