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ENGLISH · A WORD WITH POSSIBILITIES

build.

To form (something) by combining materials or parts.

5 characters1 syllables approx.English language

Meaning & usage

verb/bɪld/
  1. To form (something) by combining materials or parts.

    transitive
    I built a shed in my backyard.
  2. To develop or give form to (something) according to a plan or process.

    transitive
    He will build an organization equipped for success.
  3. To increase or strengthen (something) by adding gradually to it.

    transitive
    We need to build an income stream over time.
  4. To establish a basis for (something).

    transitive
  5. To form by combining materials or parts.

    intransitive
  6. To develop in magnitude or extent.

    intransitive
    The tension built between the sparring sisters.
  7. To construct (software) by compiling its source code.

    transitive
  8. To be converted into software by compilation, usually with minimal human intervention.

    intransitive
    This code won’t build any more. Have you made any changes?
Where this word comes from

Etymology tree Proto-West Germanic *buþlijan Old English bytlan Middle English bylden English build 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.

noun/bɪld/
  1. The physique of a human or animal body, or other object; constitution or structure.

    countable · uncountable
    Rugby players are of sturdy build.
  2. Any of various versions of a software product as it is being developed for release to users.

    countable
    The computer company has introduced a new prototype build to beta testers.
  3. The process or period of constructing a physical object.

    countable
    This new Lego set was a very nice build.
  4. A structure, such as a building, statue, pool or forest created by the player.

    countable · slang
    I made a build that looked like the Parthenon in that game.
  5. A configuration of a character's items or skills created by the player.

    countable · slang
    I made a build centered around attack speed.
Where this word comes from

Etymology tree Proto-West Germanic *buþlijan Old English bytlan Middle English bylden English build 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.

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Definitions, grammatical labels, IPA, etymology and examples: Wiktionary contributors, extracted by Kaikki / Wiktextract. Adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0. Selected fields and authored examples are shown; third-party quotations and audio are omitted. See contributor history.

Last enriched 2026-09-10. Definitions are in English. Romanizations are shown when supplied by the source; syllable estimates are omitted for unsupported scripts.