build

UK: /ˈbɪld/ US: /bɪld/ ,(bild)

Inflections of 'build' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

builds

v 3rd person singular

building

v pres p

built

v past

built

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

build /bɪld/   v., built/bɪlt/  build•ing, n. 
v. 

1. to make (a house, etc.) by putting together parts: [~ + object]
   How many years did it take to build the Empire State Building?
   [no object]
   The town wants to build in that area.
2. to start, increase, or strengthen;
   grow intense: [~ (+ up) + object]
   He came to this country and built (up) the family business.
   [~ + object (+ up)]
   to build it (up).
   [no object* (~ + up)]
   The tension in that story builds (up) toward a climax.
   See build up below.
3. to form, shape, or create:
   [~ + object (+ into)] The military school builds boys into men.
4. build in or into, [~ + in/into + object] to make something a part of something else:
   An allowance for travel was built into the budget.
5. build on or upon, [~ + on/upon + object]
   • to have as a basis:
     a relationship built on trust.
   • to form or construct a plan, system of thought, etc.: to build on the philosophies of the past.
6. build up, [~ + up + object]
   • to develop, strengthen, or increase:
     She built up my confidence.
   • to improve the strength or health of:
     weightlifting to build up his body.
   • to fill up with houses or other buildings:
     My old neighborhood has really been built up.

n. [countable* singular]

7. the shape or structure of a person's body or muscles;
   physique:
   She had a strong build.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

build  (bild), v., built or (Archaic) build•ed;
build•ing;
 n. 
v.t. 

1. to construct (esp. something complex) by assembling and joining parts or materials:
   to build a house.
2. to establish, increase, or strengthen (often fol. by up):
   to build a business; to build up one's hopes.
3. to mold, form, or create:
   to build boys into men.
4. to base;
   found:
   a relationship built on trust.
5. Games
   • to make (words) from letters.
   • to assemble (cards) according to number, suit, etc., as in melding.

v.i. 

6. to engage in the art, practice, or business of building.
7. to form or construct a plan, system of thought, etc. (usually fol. by on or upon):
   He built on the philosophies of the past.
8. to increase or develop toward a maximum, as of intensity, tempo, or magnitude (often fol. by up):
   The drama builds steadily toward a climax.
9. build in or 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.
10. 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.

n. 

11. the physical structure, esp. of a person;
    physique;
    figure:
    He had a strong build.
12. the manner or form of construction:
    The house was of modern build.
13. Building [Masonry.]
    • a vertical joint.
    • the vertical dimension of a stone laid on its bed.

• Middle English bilden, Old English byldan, derivative of bold, variant of botl dwelling, house bef. 1150

build′a•ble, adj. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

build / bɪld/ verb (builds, building, built)

1. to make, construct, or form by joining parts or materials: to build a house
2. (transitive) to order the building of: the government builds most of our hospitals
3. followed by on or upon: to base; found: his theory was not built on facts
4. (transitive) to establish and develop: it took ten years to build a business
5. (transitive) to make in a particular way or for a particular purpose: the car was not built for speed
6. (intransitive) often followed by up: to increase in intensity

noun

1. physical form, figure, or proportions: a man with an athletic build

Etymology: Old English byldan; related to bylda farmer, bold building, Old Norse bōl farm, dwelling; see bower¹