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
Protein is made up of amino acids, which are known as building blocks.
—
Karen Berger, Verywell Health, 30 Nov. 2025
Wine Terms to Know Structure Intensity of flavor, richness of body, acidity, and tannins are all building blocks that lend structure to wine.
—Anna Lee C. Iijima, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Nov. 2025
They are developed through a combination of activities, which are the essential building block of work.
—Ben Zweig, Fortune, 21 Nov. 2025
View gallery - 7 images Functioning a little like oversized Lego, the versatility of shipping containers ensures that architects never run out of ideas for using them as building blocks.
—New Atlas, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for building block
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Karen Berger, Verywell Health, 30 Nov. 2025
Wine Terms to Know Structure Intensity of flavor, richness of body, acidity, and tannins are all building blocks that lend structure to wine.
—Anna Lee C. Iijima, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Nov. 2025
They are developed through a combination of activities, which are the essential building block of work.
—Ben Zweig, Fortune, 21 Nov. 2025
View gallery - 7 images Functioning a little like oversized Lego, the versatility of shipping containers ensures that architects never run out of ideas for using them as building blocks.
—New Atlas, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for building block
Cite this Entry
“Building block.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/building%20block. Accessed 11 Dec. 2025.
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