as in members
one of the parts that make up a whole
historically the infantry division has been a basic building block of armies
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Recent Examples of building blocks
But for this team, there’s building blocks for sure.
—
Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 3 Jan. 2026
The scene came in a fictional segment parodying Ayn Rand's The Fountainhead in which Maggie defends her architectural talents after her daycare teacher punishes her for making beautiful structures from building blocks.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Dec. 2025
The ecstasy of love and the fear of passing poison through one’s blood are, for Dijon, building blocks as elemental as drums.
—Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 8 Dec. 2025
Protein is made up of amino acids, which are known as building blocks.
—Karen Berger, Verywell Health, 30 Nov. 2025
Wine Terms to Know Structure Intensity of flavor, richness of body, acidity, and tannins are all building blocks that lend structure to wine.
—Anna Lee C. Iijima, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Nov. 2025
View gallery - 7 images Functioning a little like oversized Lego, the versatility of shipping containers ensures that architects never run out of ideas for using them as building blocks.
—New Atlas, 6 Oct. 2025
While no life has been found on the 310-mile-wide moon, the discovery confirms that building blocks for it could be present, Nozair Khawaja, a planetary scientist at the Free University of Berlin in Germany, who led the study, said in a press release.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
But building blocks that connect seamlessly to existing networks remain elusive.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2025
Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 3 Jan. 2026
The scene came in a fictional segment parodying Ayn Rand's The Fountainhead in which Maggie defends her architectural talents after her daycare teacher punishes her for making beautiful structures from building blocks.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Dec. 2025
The ecstasy of love and the fear of passing poison through one’s blood are, for Dijon, building blocks as elemental as drums.
—Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 8 Dec. 2025
Protein is made up of amino acids, which are known as building blocks.
—Karen Berger, Verywell Health, 30 Nov. 2025
Wine Terms to Know Structure Intensity of flavor, richness of body, acidity, and tannins are all building blocks that lend structure to wine.
—Anna Lee C. Iijima, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Nov. 2025
View gallery - 7 images Functioning a little like oversized Lego, the versatility of shipping containers ensures that architects never run out of ideas for using them as building blocks.
—New Atlas, 6 Oct. 2025
While no life has been found on the 310-mile-wide moon, the discovery confirms that building blocks for it could be present, Nozair Khawaja, a planetary scientist at the Free University of Berlin in Germany, who led the study, said in a press release.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
But building blocks that connect seamlessly to existing networks remain elusive.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for building blocks
Noun
-
In fact, at least 50 members of the Association of University Presses currently publish books in translation every year.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
-
The employees are all members of a union local known as University Professional Technical Employees-Communications Workers of America 9119.—
Cathie Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Finding short fragments of DNA less than 40 base pairs long is an initial positive indicator of older DNA, but other environmental factors might be at play, according to Elena Irene Zavala, an assistant professor in forensic genetics at the University of Copenhagen.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Some dietary supplements can help with bloating by improving factors like gut bacteria, digestion, and the gut’s protective barrier.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
With its grease-cutting ingredients, dish soap will help cut through any greasy film or residue.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Made with plush ingredients like fleece, flannel, or cotton, electric blankets are just like regular throws but with wires woven into the fabric that generate heat.—
Nicol Natale,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The battery builds on Donut Lab’s earlier Donut Motor innovation, an in-wheel motor system first unveiled at CES 2025 that removes traditional drivetrain components.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Jan. 2026
-
The components in your computer are hugely important.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Without certain elements, your home might feel anything less than cozy and inviting.—
Ashlyn Needham,
The Spruce,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Inside the Speedster, drivers will find elements rarely seen in EVs, including a stick-style shifter.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Building blocks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/building%20blocks. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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