buildup

1 of 2

noun

build·​up ˈbild-ˌəp 

1

: something produced by building up

fluid buildup in the lungs

2

: the act or process of building up

build up

2 of 2

verb

built up; building up; builds up

transitive verb

1

: to develop gradually by increments

building up endurance

built up a library

2

: to promote the health, strength, esteem, or reputation of

intransitive verb

: to accumulate or develop appreciably

builder-upper

ˈbil-dər-ˈə-pər 

noun

Synonyms

Verb

• increase
• rise
• accelerate
• swell
• expand
• climb
• roll up

Examples of buildup in a Sentence

Noun

There is a big traffic buildup on the highway.

You should clean the mechanism regularly to prevent buildup of dirt.

Both players were given big buildups before the game.

Verb

static electricity built up on the cat's fur

the roller coaster built up momentum

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The formula deeply cleanses and removes buildup to leave you with silky, shiny hair. —Kyra Surgent, People.com, 10 July 2025

Salt buildup can also occur due to the contaminants in some tap water, though, so this is not always a clear sign of overfertilizing. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 July 2025

Verb

This happens when water in front of the tire builds up faster than the vehicle's weight can push water out of the way. —Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2025

Activist investor Elliott reportedly built up a stake in the oil major in February, just before Auchincloss revealed BP's strategic reset that set out to ramp up investment in oil and gas and reduce the focus on renewables. —Michael Considine, CNBC, 30 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1926, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1555, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for buildup

• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup
• markup
• pickup

Kids Definition

buildup

noun

build·​up ˈbil-ˌdəp 

1

: something produced by building up

2

: the act or process of building up