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

• edifice
• structure

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

Webb’s powerful instruments calculated the asteroid at about 200 feet, or roughly the height of a 15-story building. —Amanda Kooser, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025

Dunmore decided to remove the ammunition kept in Williamsburg’s Powder Magazine, a whimsical octagonal building in the town’s market square, but patriots posted sentries to guard the colony’s arsenal. —Andrew Lawler, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Apr. 2025

Fine spoke to about 100 supporters at the 2A Ranch Saloon in Ormond Beach, a barn-like building adorned with Trump decor, including cardboard cutouts of the president and a photo signed by first lady Melania Trump. —Stephany Matat, Time, 2 Apr. 2025

Among the allegations: that Adams helped Turkey open a diplomatic building in New York City despite it failing fire inspections. —Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 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