building block
noun
: a unit of construction or composition
especially
: something essential on which a larger entity is based
Synonyms
Examples of building block in a Sentence
historically the infantry division has been a basic building block of armies
Recent Examples on the Web
Samsung has already revealed Samsung Gauss, its AI building blocks that will appear inside the hardware, along with some potential functions.
—
Ewan Spence, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2023
Consider those the building blocks to scoring free minis and gifts.
—Sarah Han, Allure, 24 Nov. 2023
We are introduced to the building blocks of various music traditions, such as the raga and tala in Indian classical music.
—John Check, WSJ, 16 Nov. 2023
Yes, most farm subsidies go to corn and soy, two building blocks of cheap junk food.
—Tamar Haspel, Washington Post, 1 Nov. 2023
The project’s team sees micro-acts of joy as integral building blocks to better well-being and happiness by improving social trust, positive emotions, and reducing stress.
—Byalexa Mikhail, Fortune Well, 14 Nov. 2023
The first language focused on building blocks: recreating tones and tempi.
—Jayson Greene, Pitchfork, 17 Oct. 2023
These elements form the basic building blocks of DNA and help to power our cells.
—Amy Brady, Scientific American, 17 Oct. 2023
The Giants got crushed in that game, but the first season under Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen was viewed as a success with building blocks.
—Scott Thompson, Fox News, 5 Oct. 2023
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Ewan Spence, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2023
Consider those the building blocks to scoring free minis and gifts.
—Sarah Han, Allure, 24 Nov. 2023
We are introduced to the building blocks of various music traditions, such as the raga and tala in Indian classical music.
—John Check, WSJ, 16 Nov. 2023
Yes, most farm subsidies go to corn and soy, two building blocks of cheap junk food.
—Tamar Haspel, Washington Post, 1 Nov. 2023
The project’s team sees micro-acts of joy as integral building blocks to better well-being and happiness by improving social trust, positive emotions, and reducing stress.
—Byalexa Mikhail, Fortune Well, 14 Nov. 2023
The first language focused on building blocks: recreating tones and tempi.
—Jayson Greene, Pitchfork, 17 Oct. 2023
These elements form the basic building blocks of DNA and help to power our cells.
—Amy Brady, Scientific American, 17 Oct. 2023
The Giants got crushed in that game, but the first season under Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen was viewed as a success with building blocks.
—Scott Thompson, Fox News, 5 Oct. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'building block.' 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
1756, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near building block
Cite this Entry
“Building block.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/building%20block. Accessed 6 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
building block
noun
: a unit of construction or composition
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