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

Such tasks require modest power and could benefit from a source that runs when temperatures drop and plants or buildings need circulation. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 13 Nov. 2025

Six residences include private pools, outdoor kitchens, and alfresco dining areas, while four penthouses crown the building, spanning two levels and offering fully private rooftop retreats. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 12 Nov. 2025

In the areas of the building that sustained hurricane damage, walls were already removed as part of the storm response, making the replacement of the pipes relatively straightforward. —Niurys Robaina, Miami Herald, 12 Nov. 2025

This is where Kevin’s decades of hands-on building knowledge come into play. —Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 12 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing building

• apartment building
• building block
• building society
• sick building syndrome
• 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