- 1[transitive, intransitive] to make something, especially a building, by putting parts together build (something) 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. build something of/in/from something a house built of stone apartment buildings 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 backyard.
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- 2[transitive] build something to create or develop something She 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. Idioms
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NAmE//bɪld//
Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they build he / she / it builds
past simple built
-ing form building
(to have) plans or dreams that are not likely to happen or come true As a child he would wander around the docks, building castles in the air about owning a boat one day.
used to say that a complicated task will take a long time and needs patience Phrasal Verbsbuild aroundbuild inbuild onbuild upbuild up to
Check pronunciation: build