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 of buildup

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

Kirby said United made about $500 million at the airport in 2025, and would have made $600 million without American’s O’Hare buildup. —Ted Reed, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026

That shift to colder air allowed much of the precipitation to change from freezing rain to bouncy ice pellets of sleet, sparing many trees and power lines of ice buildup — and likely preventing widespread power outages. —Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 26 Jan. 2026

Verb

But if Rubio is serious about breaking China's grip on critical minerals, his summit should devote equal attention to building up the secondary market for recycled materials. —Kristen Edgreen Kaufman, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026

This routine helps get rid of all those pesky allergens like dust mites, sweat, and skin cells that tend to build up. —Anyssa Roberts, The Spruce, 26 Jan. 2026

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