build — English Dictionary

build
Pronunciations (2)
  • /bɪld/
  • bɪld

Verb

  1. To form (something) by combining materials or parts.

    Usage
    • Transitive
    Examples

    They build houses from wood.

    I built a shed in my backyard.

    It was a bridge ybuilt in goodly wize, / With curious Corbes and pendants grauen faire, [...]

    More examples (2)

    Athelstan Arundel walked home all the way, foaming and raging. No omnibus, cab, or conveyance ever built could contain a young man in such a rage. His mother lived at Pembridge Square, which is four good measured miles from Lincoln's Inn.

    A chap named Eleazir Kendrick and I had chummed in together the summer afore and built a fish-weir and shanty at Setuckit Point, down Orham way. For a spell we done pretty well.

  2. To develop or give form to (something) according to a plan or process.

    Usage
    • Transitive
    Examples

    He will build an organization equipped for success.

    More examples (1)

    The dirty secret of the internet is that all this distraction and interruption is immensely profitable. Web companies like to boast about […], or offering services that let you [...] "share the things you love with the world" and so on. But the real way to build a successful online business is to be better than your rivals at undermining people's control of their own attention.

  3. To increase or strengthen (something) by adding gradually to it.

    Usage
    • Transitive
    Examples

    Good communication builds trust.

    We need to build an income stream over time.

    More examples (1)

    Since the launch early last year of […] two Silicon Valley start-ups offering free education through MOOCs, massive open online courses, the ivory towers of academia have been shaken to their foundations. University brands built in some cases over centuries have been forced to contemplate the possibility that information technology will rapidly make their existing business model obsolete.

  4. To establish a basis for (something).

    Usage
    • Transitive
  5. To form by combining materials or parts.

    Usage
    • Intransitive
  6. To develop in magnitude or extent.

    Usage
    • Intransitive
    Examples

    The tension built between the sparring sisters.

  7. To construct (software) by compiling its source code.

    Usage
    • Transitive
  8. To be converted into software by compilation, usually with minimal human intervention.

    Usage
    • Intransitive
    • of source code
    Examples

    This code won’t build any more. Have you made any changes?

Noun

  1. The physique of a human or animal body, or other object; constitution or structure.

    Usage
    • Countable
    • Uncountable
    Examples

    He has a strong build.

    Rugby players are of sturdy build.

    More examples (2)

    According to the prevailing adolescent criteria Roger was not good looking. He had no build and did not give off very assertive, let alone aggressive vibrations.

    One of the most general underwriting factors is the build of the applicant. All the insurers include build as an underwriting factor although only 18 of the 22 submitted the actual build tables. Table 9-1 shows a typical build table, which categorizes according to height, weight, and sex. The table lists average weights for each height, various ranges of weights, and the numerical rating debits or credits at the bottom of each chart column.

  2. Any of various versions of a software product as it is being developed for release to users.

    Usage
    • Countable
    Examples

    The computer company has introduced a new prototype build to beta testers.

  3. The process or period of constructing a physical object.

    Usage
    • Countable
    Examples

    This new Lego set was a very nice build.

  4. A structure, such as a building, statue, pool or forest created by the player.

    Usage
    • Countable
    • Slang
    Examples

    I made a build that looked like the Parthenon in that game.

  5. A configuration of a character's items or skills created by the player.

    Usage
    • Countable
    • Slang
    Examples

    I made a build centered around attack speed.

    More examples (1)

    In fact, thousands of D&D players constantly debate the virtues of various character builds (combinations of race, class, feat, and spell choices) and share their efforts with each other in hundreds of message boards and mailing lists.

    Lower levels often mean higher stakes, with characters lacking the inflated health pools and superhuman abilities of endgame builds.

Noun

  1. constitution of the human body

    Broader terms
  2. alternative names for the body of a human being

    Examples

    Leonardo studied the human body

    he has a strong physique

    More examples (1)

    the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak

Verb

  1. make by combining materials and parts

    Broader terms
    Examples

    this little pig made his house out of straw

    Some eccentric constructed an electric brassiere warmer

  2. form or accumulate steadily

    Broader terms
    Examples

    Resistance to the manager's plan built up quickly

    Pressure is building up at the Indian-Pakistani border

  3. build or establish something abstract

    Synonyms
    Broader terms
    Examples

    build a reputation

  4. improve the cleansing action of

    Examples

    build detergents

  5. order, supervise, or finance the construction of

    Examples

    The government is building new schools in this state

  6. give form to, according to a plan

    Broader terms
    Examples

    build a modern nation

    build a million-dollar business

  7. be engaged in building

    Broader terms
    Examples

    These architects build in interesting and new styles

  8. found or ground

    Examples

    build a defense on nothing but the accused person's reputation

  9. bolster or strengthen

    Broader terms
    Examples

    We worked up courage

    build up confidence

    More examples (1)

    ramp up security in the airports

  10. develop and grow

    Broader terms
    Examples

    Suspense was building right from the beginning of the opera

Word forms
buildsbuildingbuiltbuiltbuildedbuildedbuiltbuildedbuildestbuiltbuildedbuildedstbuildethbuiltbuildedbuiltbuildedbuiltbuildedbuildedbuilds

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