building Meaning, Definition & Usage

1. noun a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
   edifice.
   
   • there was a three-story building on the corner
   • it was an imposing edifice
2. noun the act of constructing something
   construction.
   
   • during the construction we had to take a detour
   • his hobby was the building of boats
3. noun the commercial activity involved in repairing old structures or constructing new ones
   construction.
   
   • their main business is home construction
   • workers in the building trades
4. noun the occupants of a building
   
   • the entire building complained about the noise
5. verb make by combining materials and parts
   make; build; construct.
   
   • this little pig made his house out of straw
   • Some eccentric constructed an electric brassiere warmer
6. verb form or accumulate steadily
   build up; progress; build; work up.
   
   • Resistance to the manager's plan built up quickly
   • Pressure is building up at the Indian-Pakistani border
7. verb build or establish something abstract
   establish; build.
   
   • build a reputation
8. verb improve the cleansing action of
   build.
   
   • build detergents
9. verb order, supervise, or finance the construction of
   build.
   
   • The government is building new schools in this state
10. verb give form to, according to a plan
    build.
    
    • build a modern nation
    • build a million-dollar business
11. verb be engaged in building
    build.
    
    • These architects build in interesting and new styles
12. verb found or ground
    build.
    
    • build a defense on nothing but the accused person's reputation
13. verb bolster or strengthen
    build up; build; work up; ramp up.
    
    • We worked up courage
    • build up confidence
    • ramp up security in the airports
14. verb develop and grow
    build.
    
    • Suspense was building right from the beginning of the opera

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