building

noun

build·​ing ˈbil-diŋ 

1

: a usually roofed and walled structure built for permanent use (as for a dwelling)

2

: the art or business of assembling materials into a structure

Synonyms

• structure
• house
• edifice

Examples of building in a Sentence

My office is in that small brick building.

We bought the land for building.

Recent Examples on the Web

Two Michigan government buildings ranked as some of the ugliest in the nation, with Flint's municipal center — a National Register of Historic places nominee — topping the list of ugly buildings. —Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 25 Aug. 2025

Law enforcement swept the law school and surrounded campus buildings before declaring the campus all clear with no evidence of firearms or injuries. —Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Aug. 2025

Located in an 1834 building with several atmospheric spaces—brick walled with a copper bar, more formal dining rooms with Venetian damask wallpapered or Japanese style handpainted mural walls—the restaurant under new executive chef Matthew Dion serves an elevated Southern tavern menu. —Laurie Werner, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025

Best Hotels & Resorts Fairmont Austin Downtown, the Fairmont Austin offers six dining venues, three bars, an exceptional spa and pool, and gorgeous views of the skyline, Lady Bird Lake, and the State Capitol building. —Amanda Ogle, Travel + Leisure, 23 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing building

• apartment building
• building block
• building society
• sick building syndrome
• world building

Rhymes for building

• gilding
• boatbuilding
• outbuilding
• rebuilding
• roadbuilding
• shipbuilding
• upbuilding
• bodybuilding

Kids Definition

building

noun

build·​ing ˈbil-diŋ 

1

: a permanent structure built as a dwelling, shelter, or place for human activity or for storage

an office building

2

: the art, work, or business of assembling materials into a structure