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

• edifice
• structure

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

In the exclusive pic above, Fallon and Saint John, 48, are seen standing side-by-side in a sleek brick building with smiles on their faces. —Raven Brunner, People.com, 20 May 2025

Her pathway to revitalize the Brownsville Community includes a multi-site development spanning 16 parcels that includes 30 units across 17 buildings anchored in the Bronzeville Arts and Cultural District. —Stephanie Tharpe, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025

Starts for buildings with five or more units were up more than 28% between April 2024 and April 2025, and permits were up 2%. —Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 19 May 2025

Police found a 1994 Nissan Altima had struck a building near the intersection and the driver and passenger had to be extricated, according to a release from Sgt. —Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 19 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

13th 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