buildup

1 of 2

noun

build·​up ˈbild-ˌəp 

1

: something produced by building up

fluid buildup in the lungs

2

: the act or process of building up

build up

2 of 2

verb

built up; building up; builds up

transitive verb

1

: to develop gradually by increments

building up endurance

built up a library

2

: to promote the health, strength, esteem, or reputation of

intransitive verb

: to accumulate or develop appreciably

builder-upper

ˈbil-dər-ˈə-pər 

noun

Synonyms of buildup

Verb

• increase
• rise
• accelerate
• swell
• expand
• climb
• roll up

Examples of buildup in a Sentence

Noun

There is a big traffic buildup on the highway.

You should clean the mechanism regularly to prevent buildup of dirt.

Both players were given big buildups before the game.

Verb

static electricity built up on the cat's fur

the roller coaster built up momentum

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This can lead to more fat production, lower cellular energy, and the buildup of a compound associated with metabolic dysfunction. —Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026

Early indications suggested it was caused by a buildup of natural gas inside the home, a spokesperson said. —Annasofia Scheve, San Antonio Express-News, 23 Apr. 2026

Verb

Microsoft considered making an offer for Cursor before deciding not to proceed, as the company looks to build up its own GitHub Copilot assistant, CNBC’s Kate Rooney and Jordan Novet reported. —Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 23 Apr. 2026

At the same time, a backlog of 18,000 merchant mariner credentials has built up, delaying the certification of workers essential to maritime commerce. —Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1926, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1555, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for buildup

• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup
• markup
• pickup

Kids Definition

buildup

noun

build·​up ˈbil-ˌdəp 

1

: something produced by building up

2

: the act or process of building up