1
: something produced by building up
fluid buildup in the lungs
2
: the act or process of building up
built up; building up; builds up
1
: to develop gradually by increments
building up endurance
built up a library
2
: to promote the health, strength, esteem, or reputation of
: to accumulate or develop appreciably
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
Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Decluttering can help reduce buildup on hard-to-clean surfaces like piles of books, paperwork, or decorative items, says Nelson.
—Katelyn Squiers, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Apr. 2025
Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2025
Atherosclerosis develops when plaque builds up in the arteries and can cause complications such as heart attack, stroke, and heart failure.1516
Potential Side Effects and Considerations
Collagen supplements are typically well-tolerated.
—Karen Berger, Pharmd, Verywell Health, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for buildup
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Noun
Some fast-swimming sharks, like the shortfin mako or the great white, have extremely narrow, streamlined denticles that reduce drag and even prevent the buildup of biofouling (e.g., things like algae and barnacles that slow marine animals down).
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Decluttering can help reduce buildup on hard-to-clean surfaces like piles of books, paperwork, or decorative items, says Nelson.
—Katelyn Squiers, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Apr. 2025
Verb
But, cleaning it regularly and keeping the space well-ventilated greatly helps prevent the build up of mold.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2025
Atherosclerosis develops when plaque builds up in the arteries and can cause complications such as heart attack, stroke, and heart failure.1516
Potential Side Effects and Considerations
Collagen supplements are typically well-tolerated.
—Karen Berger, Pharmd, Verywell Health, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for buildup
Cite this Entry
“Buildup.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/buildup. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
buildup
noun
build·up
ˈbil-ˌdəp 
1
: something produced by building up
2
: the act or process of building up
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