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
To form by combining materials or parts; construct.
To order, finance, or supervise the construction of: The administration built several new housing projects.
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.
To increase or strengthen by adding gradually to: money building interest in a savings account; build support for a political candidate.
To establish a basis for; found or ground: build an argument on fact.
v.
intr.
To make something by combining materials or parts.
To engage in the construction or design of buildings: "Each of the three architects built in a different style"(Dwight Macdonald).
To develop in magnitude or extent: clouds building on the horizon.
To progress toward a maximum, as of intensity: suspense building from the opening scene to the climax.
n.
The physical makeup of a person or thing; physique: an athletic build.
Computer Science Any of various versions of a software product as it is being developed for release to users.
To develop or increase in stages or by degrees: built up the business; building up my endurance for the marathon.
To accumulate or collect: sediment building up on the ocean floor.
To bolster: build up the product with a massive ad campaign; built up my hopes after the interview.
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
To develop or increase in stages or by degrees: built up the business; building up my endurance for the marathon.
To accumulate or collect: sediment building up on the ocean floor.
To bolster: build up the product with a massive ad campaign; built up my hopes after the interview.
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.]
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]
Gradually develop, increase in stages. For example, I want to build up my endurance for the race. [Early 1700s]
Accumulate or collect, as in A lot of rust has built up on the farm machinery. [Mid-1900s]
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]
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]
[bild-uhp] 
