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
Synonyms
Examples of built-in in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Cai Cramer, Peoplemag, 19 Apr. 2024
Michigan drivers have all been forced to adopt a phone holder in their cars, if not already built-in, after Governor Gretchen Whitmer changed distracted driving laws last summer prohibiting any cell phone use behind the wheel.
—Detroit Free Press, 12 Apr. 2024
The drone also has built-in guards around its 3-inch propellers, which lessen the chance of injury to yourself or another person.
—Jim Fisher, PCMAG, 11 Apr. 2024
Truck drivers often don’t have a chance to do their laundry easily on the road, for example, so Intuit Dome has built-in laundry facilities for visiting crews backstage – not unlike how, on the basketball side, referees have been given their own locker room.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 5 Apr. 2024
The three individual compartments each feature built-in cutters for a smooth slice (no more fumbling with those irritating ones on the packaging).
—Ali Faccenda, Peoplemag, 3 Apr. 2024
Lastly, some phone models have built-in options for using satellites to contact emergency services.
—Shira Ovide, Washington Post, 2 Apr. 2024
But this policy lever, even if politically palatable to U.S. voters, has built-in limitations.
—Simon Montlake, The Christian Science Monitor, 29 Mar. 2024
College is one that has built-in support, including professors as trailblazers, extensive resources as provisions and a vibrant community as your fellow trekkers.
—Arush Chandna, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Lindsay Tigar, Peoplemag, 24 Mar. 2023
Pest-Deterrent Features Since squirrels often steal food from bird feeders (and damage them in the process), many of the best feeders have built-in deterrents to prevent this behavior.
—Kristen (kj) Callihan, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Mar. 2023
The Huawei Watch Ultimate also has diving software built-in.
—Andrew Williams, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2023
Many gravel bikes have built-in mounts for customizing your cargo-carrying ability.
—Kevin Cortez, Popular Mechanics, 22 Mar. 2023
And the most genius dresses under the sun even have built-in UV protection and use fabrics that wick sweat.
—Kristine Solomon, Travel + Leisure, 20 Mar. 2023
Acer The ebii has built-in lights and a single-sided fork for the front tire that saves some weight.
—Andrew Cunningham, Ars Technica, 20 Mar. 2023
There's also built-in safety features, like fall and crash detection should an emergency happen.
—Ellen McAlpine, Men's Health, 13 Mar. 2023
Digital-to-Analog Converters The Chord Mojo ($500) is a DAC with a headphone amp built-in.
—Parker Hall, WIRED, 9 Mar. 2023
Adjective
The Varsity High-Rise Pleated Tennis Skirt has built-in shorts with sneaky side pockets, and the pleated detailing adds a preppy vibe.
—Cai Cramer, Peoplemag, 19 Apr. 2024
Michigan drivers have all been forced to adopt a phone holder in their cars, if not already built-in, after Governor Gretchen Whitmer changed distracted driving laws last summer prohibiting any cell phone use behind the wheel.
—Detroit Free Press, 12 Apr. 2024
The drone also has built-in guards around its 3-inch propellers, which lessen the chance of injury to yourself or another person.
—Jim Fisher, PCMAG, 11 Apr. 2024
Truck drivers often don’t have a chance to do their laundry easily on the road, for example, so Intuit Dome has built-in laundry facilities for visiting crews backstage – not unlike how, on the basketball side, referees have been given their own locker room.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 5 Apr. 2024
The three individual compartments each feature built-in cutters for a smooth slice (no more fumbling with those irritating ones on the packaging).
—Ali Faccenda, Peoplemag, 3 Apr. 2024
Lastly, some phone models have built-in options for using satellites to contact emergency services.
—Shira Ovide, Washington Post, 2 Apr. 2024
But this policy lever, even if politically palatable to U.S. voters, has built-in limitations.
—Simon Montlake, The Christian Science Monitor, 29 Mar. 2024
College is one that has built-in support, including professors as trailblazers, extensive resources as provisions and a vibrant community as your fellow trekkers.
—Arush Chandna, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Noun
In addition, there are built-in shades on the sides that can be pulled down to give your dog darkness and security while flying to keep them calm and content.
—Lindsay Tigar, Peoplemag, 24 Mar. 2023
Pest-Deterrent Features Since squirrels often steal food from bird feeders (and damage them in the process), many of the best feeders have built-in deterrents to prevent this behavior.
—Kristen (kj) Callihan, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Mar. 2023
The Huawei Watch Ultimate also has diving software built-in.
—Andrew Williams, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2023
Many gravel bikes have built-in mounts for customizing your cargo-carrying ability.
—Kevin Cortez, Popular Mechanics, 22 Mar. 2023
And the most genius dresses under the sun even have built-in UV protection and use fabrics that wick sweat.
—Kristine Solomon, Travel + Leisure, 20 Mar. 2023
Acer The ebii has built-in lights and a single-sided fork for the front tire that saves some weight.
—Andrew Cunningham, Ars Technica, 20 Mar. 2023
There's also built-in safety features, like fall and crash detection should an emergency happen.
—Ellen McAlpine, Men's Health, 13 Mar. 2023
Digital-to-Analog Converters The Chord Mojo ($500) is a DAC with a headphone amp built-in.
—Parker Hall, WIRED, 9 Mar. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'built-in.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near built-in
Cite this Entry
“Built-in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/built-in. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
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