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
The goal is not finished meals but building blocks that move easily between lunches and dinners.
—
Kansas City Star, 27 May 2026
Achane and center Aaron Brewer as building blocks for the new regime.
—Miami Herald, 19 May 2026
These nanoglobules act as building blocks, and they’re held in a stable, liquid state.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 9 May 2026
In the video, Bill Riley, a vice president of Starship engineering, cast endeavors like SpaceX's smaller Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets, as well as its Dragon spacecraft that travels in orbit, as building blocks to the grander unveiling of Starship.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 1 May 2026
Now, as a study in Nature Communications reports, Curiosity may not have only found conditions that could have hosted life, but chemicals that, on Earth at least, are building blocks of biology.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 21 Apr. 2026
Players like Buium, Tom Willander and Liam Öhgren may be building blocks, perhaps, but the reality is that this process is beginning without any surefire cornerstone pieces in place.
—Thomas Drance, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Such a meal should include a good source of protein, such as eggs, in order to stock up on or refuel depleted amino acids, including cysteine and methionine, which are building blocks for protective antioxidants.
—Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 17 Mar. 2026
Every day, practice, period, rep, snap and second are building blocks to something bigger.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Mar. 2026
Kansas City Star, 27 May 2026
Achane and center Aaron Brewer as building blocks for the new regime.
—Miami Herald, 19 May 2026
These nanoglobules act as building blocks, and they’re held in a stable, liquid state.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 9 May 2026
In the video, Bill Riley, a vice president of Starship engineering, cast endeavors like SpaceX's smaller Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets, as well as its Dragon spacecraft that travels in orbit, as building blocks to the grander unveiling of Starship.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 1 May 2026
Now, as a study in Nature Communications reports, Curiosity may not have only found conditions that could have hosted life, but chemicals that, on Earth at least, are building blocks of biology.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 21 Apr. 2026
Players like Buium, Tom Willander and Liam Öhgren may be building blocks, perhaps, but the reality is that this process is beginning without any surefire cornerstone pieces in place.
—Thomas Drance, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Such a meal should include a good source of protein, such as eggs, in order to stock up on or refuel depleted amino acids, including cysteine and methionine, which are building blocks for protective antioxidants.
—Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 17 Mar. 2026
Every day, practice, period, rep, snap and second are building blocks to something bigger.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for building blocks
Noun
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Roupp was then asked for his response to members of the LGBTQ+ community who might take offense at his messaging.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
13 June 2026
-
Trujillo said gang members in Honduras were also trying to recruit his wife's son.—
Camilo Montoya-Galvez,
CBS News,
13 June 2026
Noun
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In their new book from University of California Press, professors Banks and Fortmueller dive into how the rise of streaming services — alongside COVID-19, the #MeToo movement and other factors — have forever changed the way Hollywood works.—
Michael Schaub,
Oc Register,
11 June 2026
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These factors mean that engines have become one of the most expensive elements of building new airplanes.—
Justin Klawans,
TheWeek,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
Dishes use local produce but combine them with Asian ingredients for a light meal that’s bursting with flavors.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 June 2026
-
Recommendations included requiring sunscreen manufacturers to clearly label their products with active ingredients on the front, as well as clearer formats for SPF, broad-spectrum and water-resistant statements.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
Noun
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With the integration of Cylib’s proprietary recycling technology directly into Vianode’s advanced anode production process, the two companies plan to turn spent battery waste into high-performance vehicle components.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
9 June 2026
-
Sharma noted that the costs of certain console components will continue to increase.—
Sebastian Herrera,
Fortune,
9 June 2026
Noun
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The event also featured traditional performance elements, including a vibrant dancer, as city officials and community members marked the beginning of the project.—
Maddie White,
CBS News,
10 June 2026
-
Inside, Scandinavian design elements steal the show.—
Elly Leavitt,
Vogue,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Building blocks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/building%20blocks. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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