building block

noun

: a unit of construction or composition
especially : something essential on which a larger entity is based

Examples of building block in a Sentence

historically the infantry division has been a basic building block of armies
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There are a few potential building blocks for such a deal. Ryan Hass, Time, 25 Apr. 2025 The building blocks of Andy Reid’s journey to three Super Bowl championships and 301 NFL wins and, one day, the Pro Football Hall of Fame, are self-evident: an absurd work ethic, tactical brilliance and what might be called taskmastery. Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2025 Here’s how the latest potentially foundational building block to an enormous event unfolded. Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025 Yeah, and so one of the remarkable ideas that’s emerged from theorists who think hard about this problem of reconciling quantum mechanics and gravity is the notion that perhaps the fundamental building blocks of gravity really are quantum mechanical. Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 17 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for building block

Word History

First Known Use

1756, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of building block was in 1756

Cite this Entry

“Building block.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/building%20block. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

building block

noun
: a unit of construction or composition
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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