build on

verb

built on; building on; builds on

transitive verb

: to use as a foundation
building on past experience

Examples of build on in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The opportunity now is to build on these lessons through closer cooperation across governments, industry, technology and capital in order to create energy systems that can perform reliably as demand and complexity continue to grow. — H.e. Dr Abdulla Saif Al Jarwan, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026 This season, starting five Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby will be looking to build on the chemistry that helped the team capture the Larry O'Brien Trophy. — Otis Livingston, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026 Fashion is, after all, an entire industry built on the cultivation and expression of taste. — Amy O’Brien, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026 Building on a legacy The mission to the Martian moons builds on Japan’s success in leading the Hayabusa and Hayabusa 2 missions, the world’s first two spacecraft to bring back pristine specimens from asteroids. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for build on

Word History

First Known Use

1562, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of build on was in 1562

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Cite this Entry

“Build on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/build%20on. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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