buildup

1 of 2

noun

build·​up ˈbild-ˌəp How to pronounce buildup (audio)
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 noun

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
Both drugs work by targeting plaque buildups in the brain that are known as amyloid. Meg Tirrell, CNN, 8 Mar. 2024 Plastic shower curtains can be used without a liner and are easy to clean, while fabric shower curtains typically need a liner (though this can also be fabric) and must be washed to prevent a buildup of mold and mildew. Andrea Wurzburger, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2024 Yes, there are silicones in this oil, but Burnside makes a point to note that there’s a common misconception that silicones are unhealthy and will cause buildup in hair. Neha Tandon, Glamour, 1 Mar. 2024 However, this suppression can lead to a buildup of tension and resentment, culminating in an explosive outburst. Mark Travers, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 Open the faucet attached to the frozen pipe to allow water to flow through and relieve pressure buildup. Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 23 Feb. 2024 That’s because micelles, or clusters of molecules that bind to dirt and oil, work by grabbing buildup off the skin (no harsh scrubbing needed). Jenna Ryu, SELF, 21 Feb. 2024 The Defense Department is expanding the Marines’ presence in the Indo-Pacific to counter a buildup in Chinese forces. Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Feb. 2024 Atherosclerosis: Stiffness of the blood vessels and a buildup of cholesterol plaques increases the risk of blockages in the heart (heart attack) or the brain (stroke). Kelly Wood, Verywell Health, 16 Feb. 2024
Verb
Holt says she’s often contacted by budding solo travelers, particularly women, who are keen to travel, but can’t quite build up the courage. Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2024 The younger one, however, was addicted to drugs, dropped out of college and has built up debt trying to realize a dream of becoming a singer. Patrick Frater, Variety, 13 Mar. 2024 One way schools can cut down on youth violence is by building up community relationships which will also have an impact on what happens in the schools, Trump says. Caroline Beck, The Indianapolis Star, 12 Mar. 2024 This happens when water in front of the tire builds up faster than the vehicle’s weight can push water out of the way. Star-Telegram Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Mar. 2024 To that aim, Israel must build up its defense industrial base. Amos Yadlin, Foreign Affairs, 8 Mar. 2024 Yeast can also build up on the scalp and cause infections; Malassezia yeast on the scalp can cause seborrheic dermatitis—an itchy, flaky rash—while Candida yeast can lead to symptoms such as scalp itchiness or blisters.1 Sleeping on wet hair can also make existing dandruff worse, Zeichner added. Korin Miller, Health, 7 Mar. 2024 Gradually, those build up and become limescale — deposits that don’t dissolve in water and are very difficult or even impossible to remove. Jeanne Huber, Washington Post, 1 Mar. 2024 On the contrary, even plant oils have the same capacity to build up in your hair. Neha Tandon, Glamour, 1 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'buildup.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1926, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1555, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of buildup was in 1555

Dictionary Entries Near buildup

build up

buildup

built

Cite this Entry

“Buildup.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/buildup. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

buildup

noun
build·​up ˈbil-ˌdəp How to pronounce buildup (audio)
1
: something produced by building up
2
: the act or process of building up
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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