buildup

1 of 3

noun (1)

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 3

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

builder-upper

3 of 3

noun (2)

build·​er-up·​per ¦bil-dər-¦ə-pər 

: one that builds up

an occasional change is a great builder-upper of morale

Synonyms of buildup

Verb

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

Examples of buildup in a Sentence

Noun (1)

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

It’s made with magnesium flakes to slough away debris, dead skin cells, and other buildup to get you the smoothest surface. — Audrey Noble, Vogue, 10 Aug. 2026

Yet Germany’s military buildup has stirred anxiety in France, while industrial rivalries have repeatedly frustrated joint projects. — Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026

Verb

Now the teams that try to build up are trying to find solutions against man-to-man. — Sam Lee, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026

In the process, the river’s water splits into a different kind of network of channels, which shift locations constantly as sediments build up and wash away. — Natalie Wolchover, Quanta Magazine, 10 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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