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build up

 - 5 dictionary results

build⋅up

  [bild-uhp]
–noun
1. a building up, as of military forces; increase in amount or number.
2. a process of growth; strengthening; development: the buildup of heavy industry.
3. an accumulation, as of a particular type of material: a buildup of salt deposits.
4. an increase, as in potential, intensity, or pressure: A buildup of suspense began halfway through the movie.
5. a progressive or sequential development: the buildup of helium atoms from hydrogen.
6. praise or publicity designed to enhance a reputation or popularize someone or something: The studio spent $100,000 on the new star's buildup.
7. a process of preparation designed to make possible the achievement of an ultimate objective: a lengthy buildup to a sales pitch.
8. encouragement; a psychological lift: Every time I need a buildup, I look at her picture.
Use build up in a Sentence
Also, build-up.

Origin:
1925–30, Americanism; n. use of v. phrase build up

build

  [bild] verb, built or (Archaic) build⋅ed; build⋅ing; noun
–verb (used with object)
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.
a. to make (words) from letters.
b. to assemble (cards) according to number, suit, etc., as in melding.
–verb (used without object)
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.
–noun
9. the physical structure, esp. of a person; physique; figure: He had a strong build.
10. the manner or form of construction: The house was of modern build.
11. Masonry.
a. a vertical joint.
b. the vertical dimension of a stone laid on its bed.
—Verb phrases
12. 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.
13. build up,
a. to develop or increase: to build up a bank account.
b. to strengthen.
c. to prepare in stages.
d. to fill in with houses; develop into an urban area.
e. to praise or flatter.
Origin:
bef. 1150; ME bilden, OE byldan, deriv. of bold, var. of botl dwelling, house

Related forms:
build⋅a⋅ble, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
Cite This Source Link To build up
build   (bĭld)   
v.   built (bĭlt), build·ing, builds

v.   tr.

  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.

v.   intr.

  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.

n.  

  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.

  3. To develop or increase in stages or by degrees: built up the business; building up my endurance for the marathon.

  4. To accumulate or collect: sediment building up on the ocean floor.

  5. To bolster: build up the product with a massive ad campaign; built up my hopes after the interview.

  6. To fill up (an area) with buildings.

Phrasal Verb(s):
build in/intoTo construct or include as an integral part of: a wall with shelving that was built in; build stability into the economy.
build on/uponTo 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(s):
build on sandTo provide with an unstable foundation: Having bought only high-risk stocks, my portfolio was built on sand.

[Middle English bilden, from Old English byldan; see bheuə- in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

build 
O.E. byldan "construct a house," verb form of bold "house," from P.Gmc. *buthlam, from PIE base *bhu- "dwell." Rare in O.E., in M.E. it won out over more common O.E. timbran. Modern spelling is unexplained. Building "a structure" is from 1297. Built-in is from 1898; well-built in reference to a woman is from 1871.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Idioms & Phrases

build up

  1. Fill an area with houses or other buildings, urbanize. For example, We want to protect the wetlands against those who want to build up the area. [c. 1400]

  2. Gradually develop, increase in stages. For example, I want to build up my endurance for the race. [Early 1700s]

  3. Accumulate or collect, as in A lot of rust has built up on the farm machinery. [Mid-1900s]

  4. Increase, strengthen, develop toward, as in The sound built up until it was nearly deafening, or His argument was building up to a grand climax. [c. 1930]

  5. Establish or enhance a reputation; praise or flatter. For example, Months before the official campaign could begin, they had been building up the senator's image. [c. 1930]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
Cite This Source
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