buildup

or build-up

[ bild-uhp ]

/ ˈbɪldˌʌp /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR buildup ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a building up, as of military forces; increase in amount or number.

a process of growth; strengthening; development: the buildup of heavy industry.

an accumulation, as of a particular type of material: a buildup of salt deposits.

an increase, as in potential, intensity, or pressure: A buildup of suspense began halfway through the movie.

a progressive or sequential development: the buildup of helium atoms from hydrogen.

praise or publicity designed to enhance a reputation or popularize someone or something: The studio spent $100,000 on the new star's buildup.

a process of preparation designed to make possible the achievement of an ultimate objective: a lengthy buildup to a sales pitch.

encouragement; a psychological lift: Every time I need a buildup, I look at her picture.

Origin of buildup

1925–30, Americanism; noun use of verb phrase build up

Words nearby buildup

building line, building paper, building permit, building society, building trades, buildup, built, built cane, built-in, built-in obsolescence, built-up

Definition for build up (2 of 2)

build

[ bild ]

/ bɪld /

verb (used with object), built or (Archaic) build·ed; build·ing.

to construct (especially something complex) by assembling and joining parts or materials: to build a house.

to establish, increase, or strengthen (often followed by up): to build a business; to build up one's hopes.

to mold, form, or create: to build boys into men.

to base; found: a relationship built on trust.

Games.

to make (words) from letters.
to assemble (cards) according to number, suit, etc., as in melding.

verb (used without object), built or (Archaic) build·ed; build·ing.

to engage in the art, practice, or business of building.

to form or construct a plan, system of thought, etc. (usually followed by on or upon): He built on the philosophies of the past.

to increase or develop toward a maximum, as of intensity, tempo, or magnitude (often followed by up): The drama builds steadily toward a climax.

noun

the physical structure, especially of a person; physique; figure: He had a strong build.

the manner or form of construction: The house was of modern build.

Computers.

a version of a program after compilation, typically an update to an existing version made before the program is released.
the process of producing a software build.
a new version or update of data in a database or on a website: frequent, incremental builds of data.

Masonry.

a vertical joint.
the vertical dimension of a stone laid on its bed.

Verb Phrases

build in/into, to build or incorporate as part of something else: to build in bookcases between the windows; an allowance for travel expenses built into the budget.

build up,

to develop or increase: to build up a bank account.
to strengthen.
to prepare in stages.
to fill in with houses; develop into an urban area.
to praise or flatter.

Origin of build

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

OTHER WORDS FROM build

build·a·ble, adjective mis·build, verb, mis·built, mis·build·ing. out·build, verb (used with object), out·built, out·build·ing. pre·build, verb (used with object), pre·built, pre·build·ing.

su·per·build, verb, su·per·built, su·per·build·ing. un·build·a·ble, adjective un·der·build, verb, un·der·built, un·der·build·ing.

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH build

billed build

British Dictionary definitions for build up (1 of 2)

build up

verb (adverb)

(tr) to construct gradually, systematically, and in stages

to increase, accumulate, or strengthen, esp by degrees the murmur built up to a roar

(intr) to prepare for or gradually approach a climax

(tr) to improve the health or physique of (a person)

(tr, usually passive) to cover (an area) with buildings

(tr) to cause (a person, enterprise, etc) to become better known; publicize they built several actresses up into stars

noun build-up

progressive increase in number, size, etc the build-up of industry

a gradual approach to a climax or critical point

the training and practice that constitutes the preparation for a particular event or competition the team's Olympic build-up

extravagant publicity or praise, esp in the form of a campaign

military the process of attaining the required strength of forces and equipment, esp prior to an operation

British Dictionary definitions for build up (2 of 2)

build

/ (bɪld) /

verb builds, building or built

to make, construct, or form by joining parts or materials to build a house

(intr) to be a builder by profession

(tr) to order the building of the government builds most of our hospitals

(foll by on or upon) to base; found his theory was not built on facts

(tr) to establish and develop it took ten years to build a business

(tr) to make in a particular way or for a particular purpose the car was not built for speed

(intr often foll by up) to increase in intensity the wind was building

cards

to add cards to each other to form (a sequence or set)
(intr) to add to the layout of cards on the table from one's hand

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 build up (1 of 2)

build up

Fill an area with houses or other buildings, urbanize. For example, We want to protect the wetlands against those who want to build up the area. [c. 1400]

Gradually develop, increase in stages. For example, I want to build up my endurance for the race. [Early 1700s]

Accumulate or collect, as in A lot of rust has built up on the farm machinery. [Mid-1900s]

Increase, strengthen, develop toward, as in The sound built up until it was nearly deafening, or His argument was building up to a grand climax. [c. 1930]

Establish or enhance a reputation; praise or flatter. For example, Months before the official campaign could begin, they had been building up the senator's image. [c. 1930]

Idioms and Phrases with build up (2 of 2)

build

In addition to the idioms beginning with build

build down
build in
build on
build on sand
build up

also see:

light (build) a fire under

Also see underbuilt.

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

buildup

or build-up

noun

Origin of buildup

Words nearby buildup

Definition for build up (2 of 2)

verb (used with object), built or (Archaic) build·ed; build·ing.

verb (used without object), built or (Archaic) build·ed; build·ing.

noun

Verb Phrases

Origin of build

OTHER WORDS FROM build

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH build

British Dictionary definitions for build up (1 of 2)

verb (adverb)

noun build-up

British Dictionary definitions for build up (2 of 2)

verb builds, building or built

noun

Word Origin for build

Idioms and Phrases with build up (1 of 2)

Idioms and Phrases with build up (2 of 2)

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

buildup

or build-up

noun

Origin of buildup

Words nearby buildup

Definition for build up (2 of 2)

verb (used with object), built or (Archaic) build·ed; build·ing.

verb (used without object), built or (Archaic) build·ed; build·ing.

noun

Verb Phrases

Origin of build

OTHER WORDS FROM build

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH build

Words related to build up

British Dictionary definitions for build up (1 of 2)

verb (adverb)

noun build-up

British Dictionary definitions for build up (2 of 2)

verb builds, building or built

noun

Word Origin for build

Idioms and Phrases with build up (1 of 2)

Idioms and Phrases with build up (2 of 2)