a structure with a roof and walls, such as a house, school, office, or factory
The old building on the corner is being turned into a museum.
Firefighters rushed into the burning building to rescue the residents.
✦ From Old English ‘bylding’ meaning ‘dwelling’, based on ‘byldan’ (‘to build’).
the process or activity of constructing something
The building of the bridge took nearly five years.
Government grants supported the building of new rural clinics.
present participle of build: making or putting together parts to create something
They are building a treehouse for the kids this weekend.
Engineers are building stronger levees along the river.
to make something by putting parts or materials together
The workers built a small wooden bridge over the stream.
My father wants to build a treehouse for us this summer.
✦ Old English ‘byldan’, from Proto-Germanic *budl- meaning ‘to dwell’.
to develop or strengthen something, especially your body, skills, or relationships, over time
He goes to the gym to build muscle.
Traveling alone helped her build confidence.
to grow or increase gradually
Tension built between the two teams as the final match approached.
Dark clouds gathered and the wind built, warning of a coming storm.
to build something again after it has been damaged, destroyed, or taken down
After the hurricane, volunteers came to rebuild the destroyed houses.
The city plans to rebuild the old bridge to make it safer.
✦ re- + build; first recorded in Middle English.
to create or develop something such as trust, health, or an organization again after it has been weakened or lost
It took years to rebuild trust between the two nations.
The new coach hopes to rebuild the team's confidence.
