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 of building

• 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

The plans included renderings of what the building would look like if it's painted white. —Arden Farhi, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026

When Perini found it, the building was down to the studs, with no electrical, plumbing or walls. —Sunny Hubler, Charlotte Observer, 10 Apr. 2026

The showrunners have been pleasantly surprised by the synchronicity building between art and life as the series moves deeper into the timeline, inspiring both cast and creators. —Jeff Spry, Space.com, 10 Apr. 2026

The building totals 68,100 square feet. —George Avalos, Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English bildyng, buldyng, from bilden, buylden, bulden "to build entry 1" + -yng -ing entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing building

• apartment building
• building block
• building society
• sick building syndrome
• team building
• 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