noun
Uncommon
buildup
BIHL-duhp
Buildup (noun) means a gradual increase or accumulation of something over time. Example: “There was a slow buildup of tension before the announcement.”
noun
1
A gradual increase or accumulation of something over time.
"One of the pricetags of the U.S. military buildup is a lack of health care in poorer communities."
— Wickie Stamps, Cambridge Conference Chronicles Anticommunism (1988)
"There was a buildup of pressure in the boiler."
"There was a slow buildup of tension before the announcement."
"Doctors found a buildup of plaque in the artery."
"Snow buildup on roads makes for hazardous driving."
How to use buildup
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe gradual piling-up of something — pressure, tension, material, or numbers.
Common pairings
a buildup of pressure
military buildup
gradual buildup
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Word forms
- Plural
- buildups
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
There was a slow _____ of tension before the announcement.
Etymology
Formed from the phrasal verb "build up," turned into a single noun.
Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “buildup” mean?
The word “buildup” means a gradual increase or accumulation of something over time. In plain terms, the gradual piling-up of something — pressure, tension, material, or numbers.
How do you pronounce “buildup”?
“Buildup” is pronounced BIHL-duhp (/ˈbɪldʌp/ in IPA).
How do you use “buildup” in a sentence?
Here is “buildup” used in a sentence: “There was a slow buildup of tension before the announcement.”
What is the opposite of “buildup”?
The opposite of “buildup” — its antonyms — is teardown.
What part of speech is “buildup”?
“Buildup” is a noun.
Is “buildup” a common word?
“Buildup” is an uncommon word in modern English.
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