| The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000. |
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| build |
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| PRONUNCIATION: |  b ld |
| VERB: | Inflected forms: built ( blt), build·ing, builds
| | TRANSITIVE VERB: | 1. To form by combining materials or parts; construct. 2. To order, finance, or supervise the construction of: The administration built several new housing projects. 3. To develop or give form to according to a plan or process; create: build a nation; built a successful business out of their corner grocery store. 4. To increase or strengthen by adding gradually to: money building interest in a savings account; build support for a political candidate. 5. To establish a basis for; found or ground: build an argument on fact. | | INTRANSITIVE VERB: | 1. To make something by combining materials or parts. 2. To engage in the construction or design of buildings: “Each of the three architects built in a different style” (Dwight Macdonald). 3. To develop in magnitude or extent: clouds building on the horizon. 4. To progress toward a maximum, as of intensity: suspense building from the opening scene to the climax. | | NOUN: | 1. The physical makeup of a person or thing; physique: an athletic build. 2. Computer Science Any of various versions of a software product as it is being developed for release to users. | | PHRASAL VERBS: | build in (or into) To construct or include as an integral part of: a wall with shelving that was built in; build stability into the economy. build on (or upon) To use as a basis or foundation: We must build on our recent success. build up 1. To develop or increase in stages or by degrees: built up the business; building up my endurance for the marathon. 2. To accumulate or collect: sediment building up on the ocean floor. 3. To bolster: build up the product with a massive ad campaign; built up my hopes after the interview. 4. To fill up (an area) with buildings. | | IDIOM: | build on sand To provide with an unstable foundation: Having bought only high-risk stocks, my portfolio was built on sand. | | ETYMOLOGY: | Middle English bilden, from Old English byldan. See bheu - in Appendix I.
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| The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by the Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. |
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