built-up

adjective

ˈbilt-ˈəp

Synonyms of built-up next

next

1

: made of several sections or layers fastened together

2

: covered with buildings

Word History

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of built-up was in 1829

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Built-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/built-up. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster

Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

sanguine

Listen to the pronunciation of sanguine

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

'Canceled' or 'cancelled'?

Is it 'autumn' or 'fall'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Popular in Wordplay

Our Best Historical Slang Terms

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Plant Names That Sound Like Insults

Color Words to Describe Autumn Leaves

Better Ways to Say 'This Sucks'

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Our Best Historical Slang Terms

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)