building blocks

noun

plural of building block
as in members
one of the parts that make up a whole historically the infantry division has been a basic building block of armies

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of building blocks Each 21-centimeter-square robot is equipped with its own thrusters, sensors, and magnetic latches, allowing the fleet to connect like building blocks on the water. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026 The strategies available are not competing answers so much as building blocks that can be sequenced thoughtfully. — Joshua Harmon, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 The body uses omega-3s as building blocks and chemical messengers that help reduce inflammation, among other benefits. — Matt Fuchs, Time, 26 June 2026 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 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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for building blocks
  1. members
  2. factors
  3. ingredients
  4. components
  5. elements
Noun
  • Just before Platner’s Wednesday announcement, more than 100 state Democratic Party committee members signed off on holding a nominating convention, in the event of his withdrawal, to choose the nominee.
    — Meg Kinnard, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
  • Crews from multiple local and state agencies began an extensive search, and his body was recovered early Monday, family members confirmed.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 July 2026
Definition of members
Noun
  • Prices are subject to rapid, unpredictable changes due to factors like, but not limited to, supply/demand, weather, and geopolitical events.
    — USA TODAY, USA Today, 7 July 2026
  • Humans are exposed to many factors that can influence the development of cancer, including naturally occurring radiation.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 6 July 2026
Definition of factors
Noun
  • Simply prepare all of the ingredients one day before, fold over the enchiladas, and refrigerate.
    — Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 July 2026
  • It's packed with efficacious skin care ingredients to smooth and firm mature complexions.
    — Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 6 July 2026
Definition of ingredients
Noun
  • And components like steel, aluminium and copper coming from other parts of the globe recently were impacted by the Iran war.
    — Anu Raghunathan, Forbes.com, 9 July 2026
  • Apple said Broadcom will make wireless components used to help devices connect to cellular, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth networks.
    — MacKenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 8 July 2026
Definition of components
Noun
  • Her grieving brother, Bobby Gifford, couldn't stand that her body was left out in the elements somewhere, never to be found again.
    — Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 11 July 2026
  • Running for five seasons into September 1977, the hourlong drama with comic elements never was a ratings hit, only denting the year-end primetime Top 30 once in the three-network universe.
    — Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 10 July 2026
Definition of elements

Browse Nearby Words

building block
building blocks
buildings
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Cite this Entry

“Building blocks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/building%20blocks. Accessed 13 Jul. 2026.

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