1
a
: forming an integral part of a structure or object
a camera with a built-in flash
especially
: constructed as or in a recess in a wall
a built-in bookshelf
b
: built into the ground
a built-in swimming pool
2
a
: inherent
a built-in advantage
b
: already established
her best-seller status gave her a built-in audience
Examples of built-in in a Sentence
Adjective
a poker player with a seemingly built-in ability to read his opponents' faces
Recent Examples on the Web
Taylor Tobin, Southern Living, 30 June 2025
Still, Elio, being an original concept and not a sequel like Toy Story or The Incredibles franchises, had to compete with two films that already have built-in fan bases.
—Braedon Montgomery, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s health has long been the subject of conjecture, but the regime has built-in mechanisms for succession.
—Sanam Vakil, Time, 26 June 2025
Google Play Protect, which is built-in malware protection for Android devices, automatically removes known malware.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for built-in
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Adjective
This step only applies to refrigerators that have built-in dispensers for water and ice.
—Taylor Tobin, Southern Living, 30 June 2025
Still, Elio, being an original concept and not a sequel like Toy Story or The Incredibles franchises, had to compete with two films that already have built-in fan bases.
—Braedon Montgomery, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s health has long been the subject of conjecture, but the regime has built-in mechanisms for succession.
—Sanam Vakil, Time, 26 June 2025
Google Play Protect, which is built-in malware protection for Android devices, automatically removes known malware.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for built-in
Cite this Entry
“Built-in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/built-in. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
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