1
: something produced by building up
fluid buildup in the lungs
2
: the act or process of building up
built up; building up; builds up
1
: to develop gradually by increments
building up endurance
built up a library
2
: to promote the health, strength, esteem, or reputation of
: to accumulate or develop appreciably
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
Denise Primbet, Glamour, 28 Feb. 2025
Despite the rapid buildup, industry players are confident demand is sustainable.
—Jonathan Burgos, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 19 Feb. 2025
There can be Internet issues, work-life balance challenges and difficulty finding accommodations, among other things, all building up stress.
—Betty Lin-Fisher, USA TODAY, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for buildup
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Noun
Featuring replenishing yet deep-cleansing properties, this lightweight oil is ideal for anyone who wants to prioritize barrier repair while ensuring that the skin is thoroughly cleansed from dirt buildup, makeup, sunscreen, and excess sebum.
—Denise Primbet, Glamour, 28 Feb. 2025
Despite the rapid buildup, industry players are confident demand is sustainable.
—Jonathan Burgos, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
Verb
Montas will be out for the first few months of the season, shut down from throwing for 6-8 weeks, then needing another 6-8 weeks to build up to regular-season form.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 19 Feb. 2025
There can be Internet issues, work-life balance challenges and difficulty finding accommodations, among other things, all building up stress.
—Betty Lin-Fisher, USA TODAY, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for buildup
Cite this Entry
“Buildup.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/buildup. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
buildup
noun
build·up
ˈbil-ˌdəp 
1
: something produced by building up
2
: the act or process of building up
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