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 of buildup

Verb

• increase
• rise
• accelerate
• swell
• expand
• climb
• roll up

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 occasion was a protest against the Reagan Administration’s plan, as part of an arms buildup in Europe, to station cruise missiles in Sicily. —Paul Elie, New Yorker, 8 May 2026

Ruff didn’t go out of his way to chase matchups in the opening round with Boston, so how Buffalo would match up was an intriguing buildup to Round 2. —Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 7 May 2026

Verb

As the founder, face, and namesake of the Rob Has a Podcast network, Cesternino has built up a hub for reality-TV alumni and its cast of fans turned podcasters to dish on everything from Survivor and Big Brother to The Traitors and RuPaul’s Drag Race. —Joe Reid, Vulture, 7 May 2026

Ajmera has built up a massive campaign war chest with more than $180,000 on hand at the end of 2025, more than any other council member. —Charlotte Observer, 7 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1926, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1555, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for buildup

• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup
• markup
• pickup

Kids Definition

buildup

noun

build·​up ˈbil-ˌdəp 

1

: something produced by building up

2

: the act or process of building up