build

verb

/bɪld/

Verb Forms

present simple I / you / we / they build	/bɪld/ /bɪld/
he / she / it builds	/bɪldz/ /bɪldz/
past simple built	/bɪlt/ /bɪlt/
past participle built	/bɪlt/ /bɪlt/
-ing form building	/ˈbɪldɪŋ/ /ˈbɪldɪŋ/

Idioms Phrasal Verbs

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[transitive, intransitive] to make something, especially a building, by putting parts together
- build (something) They have permission to build 200 new homes.
- to build a plant/facility/structure
- We build computer systems for large companies.
- Robins build nests almost anywhere.
- They don't have the money to build roads.
- They're going to build on the site of the old power station.
- be built from/of/out of something The houses are built out of local stone.
- be built in something apartment blocks built in brick and concrete
- build something for somebody They had a house built for them.
- build somebody something David built us a shed in the back yard.
More Like This Verbs with two objects
Verbs with two objects
- bet
- bring
- build
- buy
- cost
- get
- give
- leave
- lend
- make
- offer
- owe
- pass
- pay
- play
- post
- promise
- read
- refuse
- sell
- send
- show
- sing
- take
- teach
- tell
- throw
- wish
- write
Synonyms build
build
- construct
- assemble
- erect
- put something up
These words all mean to make something, especially by putting different parts together.
- build to make something, 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 something such as a road, building or machine
- assemble (rather formal) to fit together all the separate parts of something such as a piece of furniture or a machine:
  The cupboard is easy to assemble.
- erect (formal) to build something; to put something in position and make it stand upright:
  Police had to erect barriers to keep crowds back.
- put something up to build something or place something somewhere:
  They’re putting up new hotels in order to boost tourism in the area.
Patterns
- 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/tunnel
- to erect/put up a tent/statue/monument
Topics Buildingsa1
[transitive] build something to create or develop something
- They are trying to build long-term relationships.
- It is important to build a network of like-minded colleagues.
- to build a community/society
- We want to build a better life.
- We focused on building the business one customer at a time.
Extra Examples
- She has built a reputation as a hard-working judge.
- She's built a new career for herself.
- This information will help us build a picture of his attacker.
[intransitive] (of a feeling) to become gradually stronger
- The tension and excitement built gradually all day.

Word OriginOld English byldan, from bold, botl ‘dwelling’, of Germanic origin; related to bower.

Idioms

(build) castles in the air

(to have) plans or dreams that are not likely to happen or come true
- As a child he would wander round the boatyards, building castles in the air about owning a boat one day.

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Rome wasn’t built in a day

(saying) used to say that a complicated task will take a long time and should not be rushed

build

noun

/bɪld/

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[uncountable, countable, usually singular] the shape and size of the human body
- He was described as a man of average build.
- to be of medium/strong build
Extra Examples
- She is slight of build and very agile.
- a small woman with a slim build
- He's heavier in build than his brother.
[singular] the process of building or constructing something
- We are just completing the build of our new house.
- A defined build process ensures that your project's software is built and tested identically each time.
see also new build
[countable] a version of a piece of software that is created, especially one of a series of versions created before the final version is released
- You can sign up to help them test the alpha build of the game.
[singular] the form or style in which something is constructed, especially a vehicle
- a car with superb build quality
- The car has an impressive range of luxury features and superb build quality.
[singular] the way in which something, especially a story or film, develops towards the most exciting or important point
- the slow build of the plot

Word OriginOld English byldan, from bold, botl ‘dwelling’, of Germanic origin; related to bower.