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Definition of 'build'

Word Frequency

build

(bɪld )
Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular present tense builds , present participle building , past tense, past participle built
1. verb
If you build something, you make it by joining things together.
Developers are now proposing to build a hotel on the site. [VERB noun]
The house was built in the early 19th century. [be VERB-ed + in]
Workers at the plant build the F-16 jet fighter. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: construct, make, raise, put up   More Synonyms of build
building   uncountable noun
In Japan, the building of Kansai airport continues.
built   adjective [adverb ADJECTIVE, ADJECTIVE to-infinitive]
Even newly built houses can need repairs.
It's a product built for safety. [+ for]
...structures that are built to last.
2. verb
If you build something into a wall or object, you make it in such a way that it is in the wall or object, or is part of it.
If the TV was built into the ceiling, you could lie there while watching your favourite programme. [be VERB-ed + into]
3. verb
If people build an organization, a society, or a relationship, they gradually form it.
He and a partner set up on their own and built a successful fashion company. [VERB noun]
Their purpose is to build a fair society and a strong economy. [VERB noun]
I wanted to build a relationship with my team. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: establish, start, begin, found   More Synonyms of build
building   uncountable noun
...the building of the great civilisations of the ancient world. [+ of]
Synonyms: construction, raising, architecture, erection   More Synonyms of build
4. verb
If you build an organization, system, or product on something, you base it on it.
We will then have a firmer foundation of fact on which to build theories. [VERB noun preposition]
The town's nineteenth-century prosperity was built on steel. [VERB noun preposition]
5. verb
If you build something into a policy, system, or product, you make it part of it.
We have to build computers into the school curriculum. [VERB noun into noun]
How much delay should we build into the plan? [VERB noun into noun]
6. verb
To build someone's confidence or trust means to increase it gradually. If someone's confidence or trust builds, it increases gradually.
The encouragement that young boys receive builds a greater self-confidence. [VERB noun]
Diplomats hope the meetings will build mutual trust. [VERB noun]
Usually when we're six months or so into a recovery, confidence begins to build. [VERB]
Synonyms: develop, increase, improve, extend   More Synonyms of build
Build up means the same as build.
The delegations had begun to build up some trust in one another. [VERB PARTICLE noun]
We will start to see the confidence in the housing market building up again. [VERB PARTICLE]
[Also + V P to]
7. verb
If you build on the success of something, you take advantage of this success in order to make further progress.
Build on the qualities you are satisfied with and work to change those you are unhappy with. [VERB on/upon noun]
The new regime has no successful economic reforms on which to build. [VERB + on/upon]
8. verb
If pressure, speed, sound, or excitement builds, it gradually becomes greater.
Pressure built yesterday for postponement of the ceremony. [VERB]
The last chords of the suite build to a crescendo. [V + to/into]
Build up means the same as build.
We can build up the speed gradually and safely. [VERB PARTICLE noun]
Economists warn that enormous pressures could build up, forcing people to emigrate westwards. [VERB PARTICLE]
[Also + V P to]
9. variable noun
Someone's build is the shape that their bones and muscles give to their body.
He's described as around thirty years old, six feet tall and of medium build.
The authority of his voice is undermined by the smallness of his build.
Synonyms: physique, form, body, figure   More Synonyms of build
10.  See also building, built
Phrasal verbs:
build up
build up to
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers

Video: pronunciation of 'build'

Word Frequency

build in British

(bɪld )
verbWord forms: builds, building or built
1. 
to make, construct, or form by joining parts or materials
to build a house
2. (intransitive)
to be a builder by profession
3. (transitive)
to order the building of
the government builds most of our hospitals
4. (foll by on or upon)
to base; found
his theory was not built on facts
5. (transitive)
to establish and develop
it took ten years to build a business
6. (transitive)
to make in a particular way or for a particular purpose
the car was not built for speed
7. (intransitive; often foll by up)
to increase in intensity
the wind was building
8. cards
a. 
to add cards to each other to form (a sequence or set)
b. (intransitive)
to add to the layout of cards on the table from one's hand
noun
9. 
physical form, figure, or proportions
a man with an athletic build
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word origin of 'build'
Old English byldan; related to bylda farmer, bold building, Old Norse bōl farm, dwelling; see bower1
Word Frequency

build in American

(bɪld ; bild)
verb transitiveWord forms: built or Archaicˈbuilded, ˈbuilding
1. 
a. 
to make by putting together materials, parts, etc.; construct; erect
b. 
to order, plan, or direct the construction of
2. 
to make a basis for; establish
to build a theory on facts
3. 
to cause to be or grow; create or develop
often with up
to build good will, to build up a business
verb intransitive
4. 
a. 
to put up a building
b. 
to have a house, etc. built
5. 
to be in the business of building houses, etc.
6. 
to increase in amount, force, etc.; grow or intensify
often with up
7. 
to depend or be based (on)
this theory builds on others
noun
8. 
the way a thing is built or shaped; form or figure
a stocky build
Idioms:
build up
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Word origin of 'build'
ME bilden < OE byldan, to build < base of bold, a house, akin to ON bua: see bondage

Example sentences containing 'build'

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…
Was the sound system built to fit the car or the car built around the sound system? Times, Sunday Times (2016)The high is building again as it has drifted to the east of us. Times, Sunday Times (2016)There will also be plans to get far more houses built. The Sun (2016)He likes that most modern products are not built to last. Times, Sunday Times (2016)They also built a bonfire of official records in the exercise yard. Times, Sunday Times (2016)They are built in the shape of swastikas and the symbols are carved on the rock. Times, Sunday Times (2017)The reason the top guys can go on so long is because they built a real base. Times, Sunday Times (2017)It requires two of you to use five blocks to build a bridge supported only at each end. Times, Sunday Times (2016)They soon moved under the eaves of barns, and now build on any building with suitable eaves. Times, Sunday Times (2016)It has been used to build bridges and promote mutual dialogue. Times, Sunday Times (2008)Buying the plot of land and building our house. Times, Sunday Times (2012)The first defendant was engaged to design and built the waste disposal plant. Times, Sunday Times (2008)We hope this performance gives us something to build on heading into next season. The Sun (2015)You need to own up to your fears and talk this all through together to build trust. The Sun (2012)This is the classic heavy metal muscle car built for speed and pure performance. The Sun (2010)What should he be eating to build himself up again? Times, Sunday Times (2011)You are smart enough to choose love that builds your confidence. The Sun (2008)The agent can also be left out of a passive sentence to build up suspense. Times, Sunday Times (2014)We must also build more storage space for imported gas. Times, Sunday Times (2013)We are massively excited about the way we are going and hope we can build on that. Times, Sunday Times (2012)The catsuit was built around my body. The Sun (2010)It says that it uses the income to reinvest in the website and build new products. Times, Sunday Times (2012)She was medium build and plain looking. The Sun (2010)Now the pits were dying and they were building two schemes around it. Smout, T.C. & Wood, Sydney Scottish Voices 1745-1960 (1990)We need to build a manufacturing base and invest in green technology. The Sun (2013)He knows he is the wrong shape and build but he is also different from the rest mentally. Times, Sunday Times (2011)Our house is small and my wife has secured another mortgage to build into the loft so we can have a bedroom each. The Sun (2015)If security were an issue, they could be built underground and manned by guards. Times, Sunday Times (2016)

Trends of 'build'

Very Common. build is one of the 4000 most commonly used words in the Collins dictionary

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Translations for 'build'

British English: build /bɪld/ VERB
If you build a structure, you make it by joining things together.
Developers are proposing to build a hotel on the site.
  • American English: build
  • Arabic: يَبْني
  • Brazilian Portuguese: construir
  • Chinese: 建造
  • Croatian: graditi
  • Czech: postavit
  • Danish: bygge
  • Dutch: bouwen
  • European Spanish: construir
  • Finnish: rakentaa
  • French: construire
  • German: bauen
  • Greek: χτίζω
  • Italian: costruire
  • Japanese: 建てる
  • Korean: ...을 짓다 집
  • Norwegian: bygge
  • Polish: zbudować
  • European Portuguese: construir
  • Romanian: a construi
  • Russian: строить
  • Spanish: construir
  • Swedish: bygga
  • Thai: สร้าง
  • Turkish: inşa etmek
  • Ukrainian: будувати
  • Vietnamese: xây dựng

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Nearby words of 'build'

  • buhund
  • BUI
  • buibui
  • build
  • build bridges
  • build in
  • build into

  • All ENGLISH words that begin with 'B'

Related Terms of 'build'

  • build in
  • build up
  • build-up
  • new build
  • new-build

  • View more related words

Source

Definition of build from the Collins English Dictionary

Reflexive pronouns

Reflexive pronouns are used: person singular plural 1st 2nd 3rd masculine 3rd feminine 3rd neuter General myself yourself himself herself itself oneself ourselves yourselves themselves th...
Read more about 'Reflexive pronouns'
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Scrabble score for 'build': 8
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