build

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build [verb]

to make something by putting bricks or other materials together

US /bɪld/ 
UK /bɪld/ 
Example: 

They're building new houses by the river.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

build

 verb (builds, building, built /, has built)
to make something by putting parts together:
He built a wall in front of the house.
The bridge is built of stone.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

build

I. build1 S1 W1 /bɪld/ BrE AmE verb (past tense and past participle built /bɪlt/)
[Word Family: noun: ↑build, ↑builder, ↑building; verb: ↑build, ↑rebuild; adjective: ↑built]
[Language: Old English; Origin: byldan]
1. MAKE SOMETHING [intransitive and transitive] to make something, especially a building or something large:
The purpose is to build new houses for local people.
The road took many years to build.
They needed $3 million to build the bridge.
It is the female birds that build the nests.
Developers want to build on the site of the old gasworks.
a row of recently built houses
build somebody something
He’s going to build the children a doll’s house.
2. MAKE SOMETHING DEVELOP (also build up) [transitive] to make something develop or form:
She had built a reputation as a criminal lawyer.
She’s been busy building her career.
Ross took 20 years to build up his business.
build (up) a picture of somebody/something (=form a clear idea about someone or something)
We’re trying to build up a picture of what happened.
3. be built of something to be made using particular materials:
The church was built of brick.
4. FEELING (also build up) [intransitive and transitive] if a feeling builds, or if you build it, it increases gradually over a period of time:
Tension began to build as they argued more frequently.
In order to build your self-esteem, set yourself targets you can reach.
5. build bridges to try to establish a better relationship between people who do not like each other:
Peter needs to try and build bridges with Lizzie.
• • •
THESAURUS
build to make a house, road, wall, bridge etc using bricks, stone, wood, or other materials: A new stadium will be built for the Olympics.
construct to build a building, bridge, machine etc. Construct is more formal than build: The council plans to construct two new schools.
put up something to build a wall, fence, or building, or put a statue somewhere. Put up is less formal than build: The neighbours have put up a new wooden fence.
erect formal to build a wall, fence, or building, especially a public building, or put a statue somewhere: A monument to the Canadian soliders was erected in Green Park.
throw something up British English informal to build something very quickly: Developers have hastily thrown up family homes in the area.
put together to make something from its parts, for example a piece of furniture: It took an hour to put the bookcase together.
assemble formal to put all the parts of something such as a machine or a piece of furniture together: A line of robots assemble the cars.
build something around something phrasal verb
to base something on an idea or thing and develop it from there:
Successful businesses are built around good personal relationships.
build something ↔ in phrasal verb
to make something so that it is a permanent part of a wall, room etc:
You could build in a wardrobe with mirrored doors. ⇨ ↑built-in
build something into something phrasal verb
1. to make something so that it is a permanent part of a wall, room etc:
There are three cash machines built into the wall.
2. to make something a permanent part of a system, agreement etc:
Opportunities for reviewing the timings should be built into the plan.
build on phrasal verb
1. build something on something to base something on an idea or thing:
Our relationship is built on trust.
2. build on something to use your achievements as a base for further development:
The new plan will build on the success of the previous programme.
3. to add another room to a building in order to have more space
build something ↔ on
We’re planning to build on a conservatory.
build up phrasal verb
1. INCREASE GRADUALLY if something builds up somewhere, or if you build it up, it gradually becomes bigger or greater:
the rate at which the pension builds up
build something ↔ up
The museum has built up a fine art collection. ⇨ ↑build-up
2. DEVELOP build something ↔ up to make something develop or form
build something ↔ up into
He’s built up the family firm into a multinational company.
3. FEELING if a feeling builds up, or if you build it up, it increases gradually over a period of time:
If you don’t express your feelings, frustration and anger can build up.
build up something
You have to build up trust.
4. MAKE HEALTHY build somebody/something ↔ up to make someone well and strong again, especially after an illness:
Taking exercise will build up your strength.
5. PRAISE build somebody/something ↔ up to praise someone or something so that other people think they are really good, or so that they have more confidence:
The coach has been building his men up before the match.
6. build up sb’s hopes (also build somebody's hopes up) to unfairly encourage someone to think that they will get what they hope for:
Don’t build your hopes up too much.
build up to something phrasal verb
to prepare for a particular moment or event:
I could tell she was building up to some kind of announcement.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

build

build [build builds built building] verb, noun   [bɪld]    [bɪld]

verb (built, built   [bɪlt]  ;   [bɪlt]  )
1. transitive, intransitive to make sth, especially a building, by putting parts together
~ (sth) They have permission to build 200 new houses.
Robins build nests almost anywhere.
They're going to build on the site of the old power station.
~ sth of/in/from sth a house built of stone
apartment blocks built in brick and concrete
~ sth for sb They had a house built for them.

~ sb sth David built us a shed in the back yard.

2. transitive ~ sth to create or develop sth
She's built a new career for herself.
• We want to build a better life.

• This information will help us build a picture of his attacker.

3. intransitive (of a feeling) to become gradually stronger
The tension and excitement built gradually all day.
see (build) castles in the air at  castle, Rome wasn't built in a day at  Rome 
 
Word Origin:
Old English byldan, from bold, botl ‘dwelling’, of Germanic origin; related to bower.  
Thesaurus:
build verb
1. T, I
a house built of stone
constructassembleput sth upset sth up|formal erect
Opp: demolish
build/construct sth from/out of/of sth
build/construct/put up/erect a house/shelter/wall/fence
build/construct a road/railway/railroad/tunnel/nest
2. T
She's built a new career for herself.
makecreateformdevelop|written, especially business evolve
build/make/create/form sth from out of sth
build/create/form a picture of past societies
build/develop/evolve a theory/framework/programme  
Synonyms:
build
construct assemble erect put sth up
These words all mean to make sth, especially by putting different parts together.
buildto make sth, especially a building, by putting parts together: a house built of stone They're going to build on the site of the old power station.
construct[often passive] (rather formal) to build sth such as a road, building or machine
assemble(rather formal) to fit together all the separate parts of sth such as a piece of furniture or a machine: The cupboard is easy to assemble.
erect(formal) to build sth; to put sth in position and make it stand upright: Police had to erect barriers to keep crowds back.
put sth upto build sth or place sth somewhere: They're putting up new hotels in order to boost tourism in the area.
to build/construct/erect/put up a house/wall
to build/construct/erect/put up some shelves
to build/construct/erect/put up a barrier/fence/shelter
to build/construct/assemble a(n) engine/machine
to build/construct a road/railway/railroad/tunnel
to erect/put up a tent/statue/monument  
Example Bank:
David built us a shed in the backyard.
She's built a new career for herself.
• They're going to build on the site of the old power station.

Derived: build on something  build somebody up  build something around something  build something in  build something into something  build something on  build something on something  build something onto something  build something up  build up  build up to something  build yourself up to something 

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

build / bɪld / verb ( built , built )

A2 [ T or I ] to make something by putting bricks or other materials together:

They're building new houses by the river.

The birds built their nest in the tree.

These old houses are built (= made) of stone.

Contractors have started building on waste land near the town.

[ T ] to create and develop something over a long period of time:

We want to build a better future for our children.

Collins Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

build

[bɪ̱ld]
 
 builds, building, built

 1) VERB If you build something, you make it by joining things together.
  [V n] Developers are now proposing to build a hotel on the site...
  [V n] The house was built in the early 19th century...
  [V n] Workers at the plant build the F-16 jet fighter.
  Syn:
  construct
  Derived words:
  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 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.
  [be V-ed into n] If the TV was built into the ceiling, you could lie there while watching your favourite programme.
 3) VERB If people build an organization, a society, or a relationship, they gradually form it.
  [V n] He and a partner set up on their own and built a successful fashion company...
  [V n] Their purpose is to build a fair society and a strong economy...
  [V n] I wanted to build a relationship with my team.
  Derived words:
  building N-UNCOUNT usu the N of n ...the building of the great civilisations of the ancient world.
 4) VERB If you build an organization, system, or product on something, you base it on it.
  [V n prep] We will then have a firmer foundation of fact on which to build theories...
  [V n prep] The town's nineteenth-century prosperity was built on steel.
 5) VERB If you build something into a policy, system, or product, you make it part of it.
  [V n into n] We have to build computers into the school curriculum...
  [V n into n] How much delay should we build into the plan?
  Syn:
  incorporate
 6) V-ERG To build someone's confidence or trust means to increase it gradually.
  [V n] The encouragement that young boys receive builds a greater self-confidence...
  [V n] Diplomats hope the meetings will build mutual trust...
  Usually when we're six months or so into a recovery, confidence begins to build.
 PHR-V-ERG
 Build up means the same as build. V P n (not pron) The delegations had begun to build up some trust in one another... Also V P to n V P We will start to see the confidence in the housing market building up again.
 7) VERB If you build on the success of something, you take advantage of this success in order to make further progress.
  [V on/upon n] Build on the qualities you are satisfied with and work to change those you are unhappy with...
  [V on/upon n] The new regime has no successful economic reforms on which to build.
 8) VERB If pressure, speed, sound, or excitement builds, it gradually becomes greater.
  Pressure built yesterday for postponement of the ceremony...
  [V to/into n] The last chords of the suite build to a crescendo.
 PHR-V-ERG
 Build up means the same as build. V P n (not pron) We can build up the speed gradually and safely... Also V P to n V P 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...
  The authority of his voice is undermined by the smallness of his build.
  Syn:
  physique
 10) → See also building, built
  Phrasal Verbs:
  - build up
  - build up to

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

1build /ˈbɪld/ verb builds; built /ˈbɪlt/; build·ing
1 : to make (something) by putting together parts or materials

[+ obj]

• The house is built (out) of brick/logs.
• The bridge was built in the 1890s.
• The planes were built in Germany.
• The organization helps build houses for poor families.
building more powerful machines/computers/weapons
• A family of birds has built a nest on our roof.
• She started building a fire in the fireplace.
• He built a model airplane from a kit.
• He built a dollhouse for the children. = He built the children a dollhouse.

[no obj]

• You will need permission to build on your property.
2 [+ obj] : to develop or form (something) gradually
• I've started building a collection of rare books. [=I've started collecting rare books]
• They built the organization from scratch. = They built the organization from the ground/bottom up.
• They are building a legal case against the tobacco industry.
• scientists building theories about how the universe began
• At college, you'll build friendships that will last a lifetime.
• She built a successful career in advertising.
• He has built a reputation as a talented artist.
building a more peaceful world [=making the world more peaceful]
- often + up
Building up a successful business can take many years.
• She has built up a large collection of awards.
• We've been building up a savings account.
- see also build up (below)
3 [+ obj] : to increase the amount of (something)
• Lifting weights helps build muscle and increase strength.
• These programs are designed to help build confidence in young women.
• The advertisements are aimed at building support for political candidates.
• They thought the army would build character in their son. [=would make their son become a better person]
- often + up
• She runs a little farther every day to build up (her) endurance.
building up momentum/stamina/energy
• He's been trying to build up the courage/confidence to talk to her.
• These exercises will help you build up your strength.
- see also build up (below)
4 [no obj] : to grow or increase to a high point, level, number, etc.
• The excitement was beginning to build before the game.
• A crowd was building around the accident.
• The story slowly builds to a climax. [=the story slowly reaches a climax]
• Chemicals in the lake are building to dangerous levels.
- often + up
• As the water temperature rises, the pressure inside the pot begins to build up.
• Their passion/anger/fear/hatred has been building up for years.
- see also build up (below)
build around [phrasal verb] build (something) around (something) : to develop or organize (something) by using (something, such as an idea) as its main or central part
• We built our program around the idea that people need love and support.
• Their lives are built around their children. [=their children are the most important things in their lives]
• The textbook builds lessons around grammar topics.
build in/into [phrasal verb] build in (something) or build (something) in or build (something) in/into (something) : to make (something) a part of (something else)
• Carmakers are beginning to build in these new safety features as standard equipment. = Carmakers are building these new safety features into new cars as standard equipment.
• We've built bookshelves into the wall.
• These ideas are built into the program/system/design.
• There are special provisions for bonuses built into the contract.
- see also built-in
build on/upon [phrasal verb]
1 build on/upon (something) : to use (something that has been done in the past) as a basis for further work, development, etc.
• Each president builds on/upon the success of each past president.
• These classes will help students build on what they already know.
building upon past experiences/successes
2 build (something) on/upon (something) : to develop or create (something) by using (something else) as its basis
• He built [=based] his theory on recent studies.
• She has built her reputation as a talented artist on the strength of her earlier paintings.
• Their theory is built upon her research.
build onto [phrasal verb] build onto (something) or build (something) onto (something) : to add (a new room) to a structure that already exists
• They built a new garage onto their house.
• They built onto their house.
build up [phrasal verb]
1 : to increase gradually in amount as time passes : accumulate
• They pick up the garbage that builds up [=collects] along the highway.
• Dust has begun building up on his piano.
• These dangerous chemicals are building up in our lakes and ponds.
2 build (something or someone) up or build up (something or someone) : to say many good things about (something or someone)
• Political candidates are trying to build themselves up [=promote themselves] with public speeches and TV commercials.
• The movie was built up so much [=we heard so many good things about the movie] that we were disappointed when we actually saw it.