build
bihld
Build (verb) means to make something by putting materials or parts together according to a plan. Example: “Our neighbours are building a wooden shed at the bottom of their garden.”
verb
1
To make something by putting materials or parts together according to a plan.
"Our neighbours are building a wooden shed at the bottom of their garden."
"They built a new extension onto the back of the house."
"The company is building a factory just outside town."
2
To gradually increase or strengthen something over time.
"Regular exercise helps you build strength and stamina gradually."
"She built her savings up slowly over several years."
"The team is building momentum going into the final."
3
To compile a piece of software from its source code into a runnable program.
"It takes about ten minutes to build the project on my old laptop."
"If the code has errors, the system will refuse to build it."
"The developers build the app automatically every night."
noun
1
The general shape and size of a person's or animal's body.
"The suspect was described as being of medium build with short hair."
"Her slight build made it hard for her to lift the heavy crate."
"He has the build of a rugby player."
2
A particular version of a piece of software released during its development.
"Please test the latest build before we release it to customers."
"The beta build crashes whenever I open the settings menu."
"This build fixes the login bug from last week."
How to use build
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo construct something, or to steadily increase it — also used for a person's physique or a version of software.
Common pairings
build a house
build trust
muscular build
a new software build
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Word forms
- Plural
- builds
- Third person singular
- builds
- Past tense
- built, builded
- Archaic forms
- buildest, buildedst, buildeth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Our neighbours are _____ a wooden shed at the bottom of their garden.
Etymology
From Old English byldan/bytlian, "to build," ultimately from a Germanic root meaning "house, dwelling."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for build
See all rhymes for build →Frequently asked questions
What does “build” mean?
The word “build” means to make something by putting materials or parts together according to a plan. In plain terms, to construct something, or to steadily increase it — also used for a person's physique or a version of software.
How do you pronounce “build”?
“Build” is pronounced bihld (/bɪld/ in IPA).
How do you use “build” in a sentence?
Here is “build” used in a sentence: “The company is building a factory just outside town.”
What is another word for “build”?
Words with a similar meaning to “build” include artifice, betimber, assemble, compile, edify and extruct.
What is the opposite of “build”?
The opposite of “build” — its antonyms — are demolish, ruin, destroy, wreck and decrease.
What part of speech is “build”?
Depending on how it is used, “build” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “build” come from?
The word “build” comes from Old English. From Old English byldan/bytlian, "to build," ultimately from a Germanic root meaning "house, dwelling.".
Is “build” a common word?
“Build” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between build and construct?
The two are close synonyms. Build is the everyday word and applies broadly, from a house to a sandcastle to a relationship. Construct is more formal and technical, favoured for engineering and careful assembly, such as constructing a bridge. You would build trust, but engineers construct a motorway.
What is the difference between build and make?
Make is the general word for creating anything, including things with no parts, such as making a cup of tea or making a noise. Build specifically means putting parts or materials together into a structure, usually to a plan. You build a shed or a website, but you make a meal.
What is the opposite of build?
The main opposites are demolish, destroy, and tear down, all meaning to take a structure apart or reduce it to rubble. Dismantle is a gentler opposite, meaning to take something to pieces carefully, often so it can be moved or reassembled elsewhere rather than wrecked.
What is an example of build?
Constructing a house from bricks, timber, and cement is a clear example of building, since it assembles materials to a plan. The word stretches beyond physical structures too, as you can build a business, build a team, or build software, all by putting the necessary parts together step by step.
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