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Definition of build-up noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

build-up

noun
 
/ˈbɪld ʌp/
 
/ˈbɪld ʌp/
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  1. [singular, uncountable] an increase in the amount of something over a period of time
    • a steady build-up of traffic in the evenings
    • carbon dioxide build-up in the atmosphere
    • The leak led to a slow build-up of carbon dioxide.
    Topics Change, cause and effectc2
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • gradual
    • slow
    • steady
    • …
    verb + build-up
    • cause
    • lead to
    • avoid
    • …
    preposition
    • during the build-up
    • in the build-up
    • build-up of
    • …
    See full entry
  2. [countable, usually singular] build-up (to something) the time before an important event, when people are preparing for it
    • the build-up to the president’s visit
    • the build-up to her wedding
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • pre-match
    • pretrial
    • etc.
    • …
    preposition
    • build-up to
    See full entry
  3. [countable, usually singular] a very positive and enthusiastic description of something that is going to happen, that is intended to make people excited about it
    • The media have given the show a huge build-up.
See build-up in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
Check pronunciation: build-up

Nearby words

trait
noun
 
 
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