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

To enhance radiation resistance, researchers re-engineered the Wi-Fi receiver chip by reducing its transistor count, thereby minimizing the surface area vulnerable to electrical leakage and charge buildup. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 24 Mar. 2026

Even up 4-1 in the final 15 minutes, the Rapids kept pushing past the limits of stamina to find a fifth goal, both in the press and in the buildup. —Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 22 Mar. 2026

Verb

Cam Schlittler, who is not fully built up after a back/lat issue interrupted his spring, will pitch the second game of the season following an off day. —Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2026

After a three-year effort to build up local manufacturing and tech capabilities, Volkswagen is launching 20 new models in China this year. —Eunice Yoon,evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 23 Mar. 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