buildup

play

noun build·up \ ˈbild-ˌəp \

Definition of buildup

1 :something produced by building up

fluid buildup in the lungs

2 :the act or process of building up

See buildup defined for English-language learners

See buildup defined for kids

Examples of buildup in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of buildup from the Web

After that visual buildup, the menu, at first glance, seems overly cautious.

— phil vettel, chicagotribune.com, "Review: The Albert can be brilliant — and frustrating," 25 Aug. 2017
Stockings that rise to just below the knee help limit lower leg swelling due to fluid buildup.

— idahostatesman, "Tips for using compression stockings," 20 Aug. 2017
The buildup on Guam has consequences for other islands nearby, too.

— sarah zhang, The Atlantic, "When the U.S. Military Came to Guam," 12 Aug. 2017
A friend of mine got rashes under her breasts due to moisture buildup; after using the towel, her rashes completely disappeared...

— elizabeth logan, Glamour, "The 'Ta-Ta Towel' Is Here to Banish Boob Sweat for Good," 7 Aug. 2017
A friend of mine got rashes under her breasts due to moisture buildup; after using the towel, her rashes completely disappeared...Pregnant and/or breastfeeding mothers are loving the Ta-Ta Towel, too!...

— elizabeth logan, Allure, "This Genius Towel Is Engineered to Absorb Boob Sweat," 4 Aug. 2017
The buildup of alarming results has been depressing, Martel and Pasmans acknowledge.

— erik stokstad, Science | AAAS, "A fungus is attacking Europe’s most beloved salamander. It could wreak havoc if it gets to North America," 19 July 2017
A washcloth and deodorizing bar soap is ideal here, allowing you to quickly and regularly slough away dead skin—a major odor culprit—which will cut down on buildup in your shoes.

— jolie kerr, Town & Country, "Here's How to Keep Your Boat Shoes From Stinking This Summer," 19 July 2017
The summer meeting that began Wednesday afternoon at Del Mar figures to be like no other in 78 years because of the buildup to this fall’s first-ever hosting of the Breeders’ Cup.

— tod leonard, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Announcer Denman working Del Mar with a broken leg," 19 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'buildup.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of buildup

1926

build up

verb

Definition of build 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

play \ˈbil-dər-ˈə-pər\ noun

Examples of build up in a Sentence

static electricity built up on the cat's fur
the roller coaster built up momentum

First Known Use of build up

1555

build up Synonyms

Synonyms

accelerate, accumulate, appreciate, balloon, boom, increase, burgeon (also bourgeon), climb, enlarge, escalate, expand, gain, mount, multiply, mushroom, proliferate, rise, roll up, snowball, spread, swell, wax

Antonyms

contract, decrease, diminish, dwindle, lessen, recede, wane

Related Words

jump, rocket, skyrocket, surge; heighten, intensify, redouble; blow up, bulk, distend, inflate, puff (up); crescendo, crest, peak

Near Antonyms

abate, decline (in), diminish (in), dip, dwindle, fall (in), lessen, taper, taper off

BUILDUP Defined for English Language Learners

buildup

play

noun

Definition of buildup for English Language Learners

: an increase in something that occurs as time passes
: things that are said to cause people to feel excited about something (such as a future event) or someone (such as a performer)
: a series of things that lead to an important event or occurrence