buildup

1 of 2

noun

build·​up ˈbild-ˌəp 

1

: something produced by building up

fluid buildup in the lungs

2

: the act or process of building up

build up

2 of 2

verb

built up; building up; builds up

transitive verb

1

: to develop gradually by increments

building up endurance

built up a library

2

: to promote the health, strength, esteem, or reputation of

intransitive verb

: to accumulate or develop appreciably

builder-upper

ˈbil-dər-ˈə-pər 

noun

Synonyms

Verb

• accelerate
• accumulate
• appreciate
• balloon
• boom
• burgeon
• bourgeon
• climb
• enlarge
• escalate
• expand
• gain
• increase
• mount
• multiply
• mushroom
• proliferate
• rise
• roll up
• snowball
• spread
• swell
• wax

Examples of buildup in a Sentence

Noun

There is a big traffic buildup on the highway.

You should clean the mechanism regularly to prevent buildup of dirt.

Both players were given big buildups before the game.

Verb

static electricity built up on the cat's fur

the roller coaster built up momentum

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Some scientists suspect that the plumes come from the sun heating through Triton’s ice cap until a pressure buildup causes a watery explosion, similar to the mechanism of popcorn. —Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Nov. 2024

Also, our pressure map showed almost no pressure buildup while back and stomach sleeping. —Ashley Zlatopolsky, Architectural Digest, 31 Oct. 2024

Verb

Meanwhile, Newman has a sizeable lead already built up irrespective of his results in the last two events and seems impossible to catch. Prediction: Garnett claims the 16th spot and Ignatowich/Loong miss out. —Todd Boss, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

For example, the whitening agent titanium dioxide in soups and dairy products can build up in the body and even damage DNA. European countries take a much more precautionary approach to additives in their food, Benesh says. —Jonquilyn Hill, Vox, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1926, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1555, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

buildup

noun

build·​up ˈbil-ˌdəp 

1

: something produced by building up

2

: the act or process of building up