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

Researchers have found a way to suppress gas buildup in lithium manganese-rich (LMR) batteries, a major hurdle to using the technology in large electric vehicle cells. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2026

After all the buildup, the Rams are ready to embark on their quest. — Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026

Verb

First, though, Cline builds up to a description of a long-ago incident between the two boys that feels out of place in a novel about a more pervasive, murky sense of failure. — Emma Alpern, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026

Hopefully, fans get a very violent conclusion, which is what the entire season has been building up. — David Hookstead Outkick, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 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