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
Synonyms
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
Samy Burch, Los Angeles Times, 29 Nov. 2023
They were offset by big gains in government (mainly education) adding 6,200 jobs and a buildup in the retail industry with 3,400 new jobs.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Nov. 2023
For China, greater transparency about its nuclear posture and the rationale for its buildup could help alleviate some of the worst-case assumptions held by U.S. strategists.
—M. Taylor Fravel, Foreign Affairs, 10 Nov. 2023
For years, the buildup was marked by criticism of the tiny gas-rich state’s treatment of the millions of migrant laborers required to remake the country ahead of the World Cup.
—Tariq Panja, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2023
At this hour, there is still no clarity from the U.S. side on whether this is the big ground offensive that's been expected -- or just part of the buildup.
—Abc News, ABC News, 28 Oct. 2023
Lymph nodes on the face and neck are strategically massaged, releasing toxin buildup.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 6 Nov. 2023
When the drug binds to amyloid, the drug enables the immune system to remove amyloid buildup.
—Nick Blackmer, Verywell Health, 3 Nov. 2023
Like regular indoor ranges, shooting trailers require regular cleaning to prevent a dangerous buildup of lead and gunpowder.
—Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2023
Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 30 Nov. 2023
Baby boomers and older individuals have spent decades building up their wealth, aided after the 2008 great financial crisis by low interest rates that disproportionately benefited the already wealthy.
—Juliet Chung, WSJ, 30 Nov. 2023
Talavera, who spent months in the hospital recovering, is slowly building up the ability to walk once more.
—Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 29 Nov. 2023
Together, these build up into a huge ball, forming the music.
—Billboard Japan, Billboard, 27 Nov. 2023
After that, the water is filtered through the salt-free conditioner, which prevents minerals from binding and forming scale build up.
—Andrea Wurzburger, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Nov. 2023
Before the writers of The Crown dove into the romance of Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed for season six (Part 1 of which is currently streaming on Netflix), the creators built up a narrative around the film producer’s life as the son of billionaire Mohamed Al-Fayed.
—Brande Victorian, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Nov. 2023
The ask, at its core, is coming from a place of having to build up the confidence to do this work.
—Juan A. Ramírez, New York Times, 20 Nov. 2023
But Dodds said there still can be a clear advantage for older buyers who have built up their wealth and income over decades and routinely emerge at the top of the pack.
—Rachel Siegel, Washington Post, 13 Nov. 2023
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Noun
The buildup of denial that covers everything in their house like a film.
—Samy Burch, Los Angeles Times, 29 Nov. 2023
They were offset by big gains in government (mainly education) adding 6,200 jobs and a buildup in the retail industry with 3,400 new jobs.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Nov. 2023
For China, greater transparency about its nuclear posture and the rationale for its buildup could help alleviate some of the worst-case assumptions held by U.S. strategists.
—M. Taylor Fravel, Foreign Affairs, 10 Nov. 2023
For years, the buildup was marked by criticism of the tiny gas-rich state’s treatment of the millions of migrant laborers required to remake the country ahead of the World Cup.
—Tariq Panja, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2023
At this hour, there is still no clarity from the U.S. side on whether this is the big ground offensive that's been expected -- or just part of the buildup.
—Abc News, ABC News, 28 Oct. 2023
Lymph nodes on the face and neck are strategically massaged, releasing toxin buildup.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 6 Nov. 2023
When the drug binds to amyloid, the drug enables the immune system to remove amyloid buildup.
—Nick Blackmer, Verywell Health, 3 Nov. 2023
Like regular indoor ranges, shooting trailers require regular cleaning to prevent a dangerous buildup of lead and gunpowder.
—Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2023
Verb
Her job involves everything from nosing whiskies (to build up her knowledge for creating both classic and new blends) to helping select casks for some of The Balvenie’s oldest and rarest bottlings.
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 30 Nov. 2023
Baby boomers and older individuals have spent decades building up their wealth, aided after the 2008 great financial crisis by low interest rates that disproportionately benefited the already wealthy.
—Juliet Chung, WSJ, 30 Nov. 2023
Talavera, who spent months in the hospital recovering, is slowly building up the ability to walk once more.
—Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 29 Nov. 2023
Together, these build up into a huge ball, forming the music.
—Billboard Japan, Billboard, 27 Nov. 2023
After that, the water is filtered through the salt-free conditioner, which prevents minerals from binding and forming scale build up.
—Andrea Wurzburger, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Nov. 2023
Before the writers of The Crown dove into the romance of Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed for season six (Part 1 of which is currently streaming on Netflix), the creators built up a narrative around the film producer’s life as the son of billionaire Mohamed Al-Fayed.
—Brande Victorian, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Nov. 2023
The ask, at its core, is coming from a place of having to build up the confidence to do this work.
—Juan A. Ramírez, New York Times, 20 Nov. 2023
But Dodds said there still can be a clear advantage for older buyers who have built up their wealth and income over decades and routinely emerge at the top of the pack.
—Rachel Siegel, Washington Post, 13 Nov. 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'buildup.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
Noun
1926, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1555, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near buildup
Cite this Entry
“Buildup.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/buildup. Accessed 8 Dec. 2023.
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Kids 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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