build up Meaning, Definition & Usage

1. verb enlarge, develop, or increase by degrees or in stages
   
   • build up your savings
2. verb form or accumulate steadily
   progress; build; work up.
   
   • Resistance to the manager's plan built up quickly
   • Pressure is building up at the Indian-Pakistani border
3. verb prepare oneself for a military confrontation
   gird; fortify; arm.
   
   • The U.S. is girding for a conflict in the Middle East
   • troops are building up on the Iraqi border
4. verb bolster or strengthen
   build; work up; ramp up.
   
   • We worked up courage
   • build up confidence
   • ramp up security in the airports
5. verb change the use of and make available or usable
   develop.
   
   • develop land
   • The country developed its natural resources
   • The remote areas of the country were gradually built up

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