build
/bɪld/ verb, noun
Forms builds building built builded buildest buildedst buildeth
- verb (transitive) To form (something) by combining materials or parts. “I built a shed in my backyard.”
- verb (transitive) To develop or give form to (something) according to a plan or process. “He will build an organization equipped for success.”
- verb (transitive) To increase or strengthen (something) by adding gradually to it. “We need to build an income stream over time.”
- verb (transitive) To establish a basis for (something).
- verb (intransitive) To form by combining materials or parts.
- verb (intransitive) To develop in magnitude or extent. “The tension built between the sparring sisters.”
- verb (transitive, computing) To construct (software) by compiling its source code.
- verb (intransitive, computing, of source code) To be converted into software by compilation, usually with minimal human intervention. “This code won’t build any more. Have you made any changes?”
- noun (countable, uncountable) The physique of a human or animal body, or other object; constitution or structure. “Rugby players are of sturdy build.”
- noun (computing, countable) Any of various versions of a software product as it is being developed for release to users. “The computer company has introduced a new prototype build to beta testers.”
- noun (countable) The process or period of constructing a physical object. “This new Lego set was a very nice build.”
- noun (gaming, slang, countable) A structure, such as a building, statue, pool or forest created by the player. “I made a build that looked like the Parthenon in that game.”
- noun (gaming, slang, countable) A configuration of a character's items or skills created by the player. “I made a build centered around attack speed.”
Synonyms
create build up enlarge increase strengthen base found ground construct erect artifice assemble betimber compile edify extruct fabricate fashion form knock up physique body-build habitus human body physical body material body soma figure anatomy shape
Antonyms
demolish destroy ruin wreck decrease dissipate weaken disassemble dismantle knock down raze take apart
Etymology
From Middle English bilden, bulden, bylden, from Old English byldan and bytlan, bytlian (“to build”), from Proto-West Germanic *buþlijan (“to build”), from Proto-Germanic *buþlą, *bōþlą (“house, dwelling, farm”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰuH- (“to become, grow, thrive, be, live, dwell”). Related to Old English botl (“building, house”). More at bottle. False cognate of German bilden.
Webster’s 1913
- verb To erect or construct, as an edifice or fabric of any kind; to form by uniting materials into a regular structure; to fabricate; to make; to raise.
- verb To raise or place on a foundation; to form, establish, or produce by using appropriate means.
- verb To exercise the art, or practice the business, of building.
- verb To rest or depend, as on a foundation; to ground one's self or one's hopes or opinions upon something deemed reliable; to rely; as, to build on the opinions or advice of others.
Etymology [OE. bulden, bilden, AS. byldan to build, fr. bold house; cf. Icel. bol farm, abode, Dan. bol small farm, OSw. bol, böle, house, dwelling, fr. root of Icel. b to dwell; akin to E. be, bower, boor. sq. root97.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “build”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details