build
♦♦♦ build /b'ɪld/ (builds building built)
1 [VERB] V n, V n
If you build something, you make it by joining things together.
Developers are now proposing to build a hotel on the site...
The house was built in the early 19th century...
= construct
● building [N-UNCOUNT]
In Japan, the building of Kansai airport continues.
● built [ADJ] adv ADJ, ADJ for n, ADJ to-inf
Even newly built houses can need repairs...
It's a product built for safety.
...structures that are built to last.
2 [VERB] be V-ed into n
If you build something into a wall or object, you make it in such a way that it is in the wall or object, or is part of it.
If the TV was built into the ceiling, you could lie there while watching your favourite programme.
3 [VERB] V n, V n, V n
If people build an organization, a society, or a relationship, they gradually form it.
He and a partner set up on their own and built a successful fashion company...
Their purpose is to build a fair society and a strong economy...
I wanted to build a relationship with my team.
● building [N-UNCOUNT] usu the N of n
...the building of the great civilisations of the ancient world.
4 [VERB] V n prep
If you build an organization, system, or product on something, you base it on it.
We will then have a firmer foundation of fact on which to build theories...
5 [VERB] V n into n, V n into n
If you build something into a policy, system, or product, you make it part of it.
We have to build computers into the school curriculum...
How much delay should we build into the plan?
= incorporate
6 [VERB] V n, V
To build someone's confidence or trust means to increase it gradually. If someone's confidence or trust builds, it increases gradually.
Diplomats hope the meetings will build mutual trust...
Usually when we're six months or so into a recovery, confidence begins to build.
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V P, also V P to n
Build up means the same as build.
The delegations had begun to build up some trust in one another...
We will start to see the confidence in the housing market building up again.
7 [VERB] V on/upon n
If you build on the success of something, you take advantage of this success in order to make further progress.
The new regime has no successful economic reforms on which to build.
8 [VERB] V, V to/into n
If pressure, speed, sound, or excitement builds, it gradually becomes greater.
Pressure built yesterday for postponement of the ceremony...
The last chords of the suite build to a crescendo.
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V P, also V P to n
Build up means the same as build.
We can build up the speed gradually and safely...
Economists warn that enormous pressures could build up, forcing people to emigrate westwards.
9 [N-VAR]
Someone's build is the shape that their bones and muscles give to their body.
He's described as around thirty years old, six feet tall and of medium build...
10
see also building, builtbuild up
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V P, also V n P, V P to n
If you build up something or if it builds up, it gradually becomes bigger, for example because more is added to it.
The regime built up the largest army in Africa...
Slowly a thick layer of fat builds up on the pan's surface.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P
If you build someone up, you help them to feel stronger or more confident, especially when they have had a bad experience or have been ill.
Build her up with kindness and a sympathetic ear...
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V n P as n/-ing
If you build someone or something up, you make them seem important or exciting, for example by talking about them a lot.
The media will report on it and the tabloids will build it up...
Historians built him up as the champion of parliament...
4
see also build 6, 8, build-up, build up to
[PHRASAL VERB] V P P n
If you build up to something you want to do or say, you try to prepare people for it by starting to do it or introducing the subject gradually.
Other actions we need to take may be more difficult, and we may have to build up to them gradually...
1 [VERB] V n, V n
If you build something, you make it by joining things together.
Developers are now proposing to build a hotel on the site...
The house was built in the early 19th century...
= construct
● building [N-UNCOUNT]
In Japan, the building of Kansai airport continues.
● built [ADJ] adv ADJ, ADJ for n, ADJ to-inf
Even newly built houses can need repairs...
It's a product built for safety.
...structures that are built to last.
2 [VERB] be V-ed into n
If you build something into a wall or object, you make it in such a way that it is in the wall or object, or is part of it.
If the TV was built into the ceiling, you could lie there while watching your favourite programme.
3 [VERB] V n, V n, V n
If people build an organization, a society, or a relationship, they gradually form it.
He and a partner set up on their own and built a successful fashion company...
Their purpose is to build a fair society and a strong economy...
I wanted to build a relationship with my team.
● building [N-UNCOUNT] usu the N of n
...the building of the great civilisations of the ancient world.
4 [VERB] V n prep
If you build an organization, system, or product on something, you base it on it.
We will then have a firmer foundation of fact on which to build theories...
5 [VERB] V n into n, V n into n
If you build something into a policy, system, or product, you make it part of it.
We have to build computers into the school curriculum...
How much delay should we build into the plan?
= incorporate
6 [VERB] V n, V
To build someone's confidence or trust means to increase it gradually. If someone's confidence or trust builds, it increases gradually.
Diplomats hope the meetings will build mutual trust...
Usually when we're six months or so into a recovery, confidence begins to build.
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V P, also V P to n
Build up means the same as build.
The delegations had begun to build up some trust in one another...
We will start to see the confidence in the housing market building up again.
7 [VERB] V on/upon n
If you build on the success of something, you take advantage of this success in order to make further progress.
The new regime has no successful economic reforms on which to build.
8 [VERB] V, V to/into n
If pressure, speed, sound, or excitement builds, it gradually becomes greater.
Pressure built yesterday for postponement of the ceremony...
The last chords of the suite build to a crescendo.
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V P, also V P to n
Build up means the same as build.
We can build up the speed gradually and safely...
Economists warn that enormous pressures could build up, forcing people to emigrate westwards.
9 [N-VAR]
Someone's build is the shape that their bones and muscles give to their body.
He's described as around thirty years old, six feet tall and of medium build...
10
see also building, builtbuild up
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V P, also V n P, V P to n
If you build up something or if it builds up, it gradually becomes bigger, for example because more is added to it.
The regime built up the largest army in Africa...
Slowly a thick layer of fat builds up on the pan's surface.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P
If you build someone up, you help them to feel stronger or more confident, especially when they have had a bad experience or have been ill.
Build her up with kindness and a sympathetic ear...
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V n P as n/-ing
If you build someone or something up, you make them seem important or exciting, for example by talking about them a lot.
The media will report on it and the tabloids will build it up...
Historians built him up as the champion of parliament...
4
see also build 6, 8, build-up, build up to
[PHRASAL VERB] V P P n
If you build up to something you want to do or say, you try to prepare people for it by starting to do it or introducing the subject gradually.
Other actions we need to take may be more difficult, and we may have to build up to them gradually...