building

[ bil-ding ]
/ ˈbɪl dɪŋ /

noun

a relatively permanent enclosed construction over a plot of land, having a roof and usually windows and often more than one level, used for any of a wide variety of activities, as living, entertaining, or manufacturing.
anything built or constructed.
the act, business, or practice of constructing houses, office buildings, etc.

Origin of building

First recorded in 1250–1300, building is from the Middle English word byldinge. See build, -ing1

synonym study for building

1. Building, edifice, structure refer to something built. Building and structure may apply to either a finished or an unfinished product of construction, and carry no implications as to size or condition. Edifice is a more formal word and narrower in application, referring to a completed structure, and usually a large and imposing one. Building generally connotes a useful purpose (houses, schools, business offices, etc.); structure suggests the planning and constructive process.

OTHER WORDS FROM building

build·ing·less, adjective un·der·build·ing, noun

Definition for building (2 of 2)

Origin of build

before 1150; Middle English bilden, Old English byldan, derivative of bold, variant of botl dwelling, house

OTHER WORDS FROM build

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH build

billed build

Example sentences from the Web for building

British Dictionary definitions for building (1 of 2)

building
/ (ˈbɪldɪŋ) /

noun

something built with a roof and walls, such as a house or factory
the act, business, occupation, or art of building houses, boats, etc

British Dictionary definitions for building (2 of 2)

build
/ (bɪld) /

verb builds, building or built

noun

physical form, figure, or proportions a man with an athletic build

Word Origin for build

Old English byldan; related to bylda farmer, bold building, Old Norse bōl farm, dwelling; see bower 1

Idioms and Phrases with building

build