build
verb/bɪld/
/bɪld/
Verb Forms
Idioms Phrasal Verbs| 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/ |
- [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 objectsVerbs with two objectsSynonyms buildbuildconstruct ▪ assemble ▪ erect ▪ put something upThese words all mean to make something, especially by putting different parts together.build to make something, especially a building, by putting parts together:Topics Buildingsa1- a house built of stone
- They’re going to build on the site of the old power station.
- The cupboard is easy to assemble.
- Police had to erect barriers to keep crowds back.
- They’re putting up new hotels in order to boost tourism in the area.
- 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
- [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.
- He's built a new career for himself.
- 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
See build in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee build in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English(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.
More Like This Silent lettersSilent letters
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
Check pronunciation:
build