building

noun

build·​ing ˈbil-diŋ 

1

: a usually roofed and walled structure built for permanent use (as for a dwelling)

2

: the art or business of assembling materials into a structure

Synonyms of building

• structure
• house
• edifice

Examples of building in a Sentence

My office is in that small brick building.

We bought the land for building.

Recent Examples on the Web

Aerial footage showed firefighters spraying water on several buildings that were on fire. —Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2026

That is the nature of Dolan’s relationship with New York City and the fans who enter his building. —Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 16 June 2026

Take a look at how part of the Parks and Recreation building was changed. —Pete Grathoff june 14, Kansas City Star, 15 June 2026

Flames were seen shooting from the roof of the building in the 7600 block of South Paulina Street around midnight Monday morning. —Dylan Olsen, CBS News, 15 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English bildyng, buldyng, from bilden, buylden, bulden "to build entry 1" + -yng -ing entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing building

• apartment building
• building block
• building society
• sick building syndrome
• team building
• world-building

Rhymes for building

• gilding
• boatbuilding
• outbuilding
• rebuilding
• roadbuilding
• shipbuilding
• upbuilding
• bodybuilding

Kids Definition

building

noun

build·​ing ˈbil-diŋ 

1

: a permanent structure built as a dwelling, shelter, or place for human activity or for storage

an office building

2

: the art, work, or business of assembling materials into a structure