building

noun

build·​ing ˈbil-diŋ 

1

: a usually roofed and walled structure built for permanent use (as for a dwelling)

2

: the art or business of assembling materials into a structure

Synonyms of building

• structure
• house
• edifice

Examples of building in a Sentence

My office is in that small brick building.

We bought the land for building.

Recent Examples on the Web

Monuments and buildings around the world lit up in Prince’s signature color purple. —Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026

The former clubhouse was remodeled into Trinity Christian College’s administration building, and the original curriculum focused on philosophy, history, English and theology. —Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026

Some, like Annoyance Theatre, have moved on to bigger spaces and sometimes brand-new buildings. —Dana Kozlov, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2026

In exchange for the money, Diamantis used his influence at the state’s school building office to help the masonry company win lucrative construction contracts on several projects in Tolland, Hartford and New Britain. —Dave Altimari, Hartford Courant, 20 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English bildyng, buldyng, from bilden, buylden, bulden "to build entry 1" + -yng -ing entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing building

• apartment building
• building block
• building society
• sick building syndrome
• team building
• world-building

Rhymes for building

• gilding
• boatbuilding
• outbuilding
• rebuilding
• roadbuilding
• shipbuilding
• upbuilding
• bodybuilding

Kids Definition

building

noun

build·​ing ˈbil-diŋ 

1

: a permanent structure built as a dwelling, shelter, or place for human activity or for storage

an office building

2

: the art, work, or business of assembling materials into a structure