build up

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word build up. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word build up, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say build up in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word build up you have here. The definition of the word build up will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofbuild up, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
See also: build-up and buildup

English

Pronunciation

  • Audio (AU)(file)

Verb

build up (third-person singular simple present builds up, present participle building up, simple past and past participle built up)

  1. To erect; to construct.
  2. To close up by building.
    to build up a door
  3. (intransitive, transitive, idiomatic) To accumulate, to pile up, to increase in stages.
    • 1962 April, R. K. Evans, “The Acceptance Testing of Diesel Locomotives”, in Modern Railways, page 268:
      The first English Electric units were not fitted with an anti-slip brake, but a hurried consultation of the wiring diagram showed that it should be possible to hold in the low-voltage anti-slip relay for long enough to let speed build up without cutting off the motor current.
    • 2010 December 29, Chris Whyatt, “Chelsea 1-0 Bolton”, in BBC:
      Their first half was marred by the entire side playing too deep, completely unable to build up any form of decent possession once the ball left their bewildered defence.
    • 2013 July-August, Stephen P. Lownie, David M. Pelz, “Stents to Prevent Stroke”, in American Scientist:
      As we age, the major arteries of our bodies frequently become thickened with plaque, a fatty material with an oatmeal-like consistency that builds up along the inner lining of blood vessels.
    Ever since the secretary left, the letters in my inbox have started to build up.
  4. (transitive, idiomatic) To strengthen.
    They had to build up their fortress to protect against attack.
    • 1925 July – 1926 May, A[rthur] Conan Doyle, “(please specify the chapter number)”, in The Land of Mist (eBook no. 0601351h.html), Australia: Project Gutenberg Australia, published April 2019:
      "It took it out of me, though. I'm a rag this morning." "They work you too hard, dear. I'll take you to Margate and build you up." "Well, maybe at Easter we could do a week."
  5. (card games) In solitaire card games, to place a card over another card of lower value. (e.g., place 5♦ over 4♣)

Synonyms

Antonyms

Derived terms

Translations

Noun

build up

  1. Misspelling of buildup.

Anagrams

Wikious
Boobota
Sagapedia