building

1 of 2

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

building

2 of 2

present participle of build entry 1

Synonyms of building

Noun

• structure
• house
• edifice

Examples of building in a Sentence

Noun

My office is in that small brick building.

We bought the land for building.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

One of the only signs of the trial that has drawn international attention was on a set of 14 video screens that lay out all of the cases to be heard in the building each day. — Andy Rose, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026

Though the building is clearly old (it was built in 1913), its shutters are a curiously contemporary shade of blue, sitting brightly next to the terra-cotta roof. — Megan Rose Murray, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026

The import taxes will hit everything from hockey sticks, to some building materials, liquors and certain kinds of clothing. — Steve Kopack, NBC news, 22 Aug. 2026

The source did, however, note that most of the tenants living in the building spoke Mandarin and there was a language barrier. — Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 21 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

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