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

The pair, who had poked fun at each other on social media in the buildup, were joined by stars such as David Beckham and his son Romeo in the stands. —Ben Church, CNN, 17 Sep. 2024

This prevents a large buildup and prevents the dirt from scratching your floor. —Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Sep. 2024

Verb

Lines of ten vast coolers in each hall keep them at a constant 24°C, and maintain no lower than 40% humidity (low humidity allows static electricity to build up). —The Week Uk, theweek, 8 Sep. 2024

Despite the lower targets, students continue to fill classrooms and cockpits to train and build up hours to become pilots, said Ken Byrnes, chairman of the flight department at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. —Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 6 Sep. 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