world-building

noun

world-build·​ing ˈwərl(d)-ˈbil-diŋ 

variants or less commonly world building or worldbuilding

: the creation of a fictional world (especially within the science fiction and fantasy genres) that is believable and consistent within the context of the story

The game pushes the limits of the PS4 graphically and packs so much mythos and backstory into its world-building that at times it feels more like a novel than a video game.

—Patrick Shanley

In my opinion, no one does world-building as well as Kate Elliott. It's subtle … but the world, culture, and societies she creates feel solid. If you think about them when you close the book, you can see how they could work; how the economics could work, how the governing could work, how the cultures formed.

—Michelle West

In postapocalyptic stories, world building typically emphasizes the new reality: new vocabulary to learn, new systems of government to understand, new social norms to parse.

—Shirley Li

It sounds like a lot to take in, but "The Sandman" neatly avoids many genre show pitfalls. While at times its premise and worldbuilding do feel a bit murky, for the most part, it's even less confusing for a layman to get into than other sprawling similar shows such as "Westworld" or "The Witcher."

—Lauren Sarner

Examples of world-building in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That goes for sound designer Corey Smith, lighting designer Liz Gomez and costumer Mary Williamson, too, whose symbiotic world-building reflects what can happen when enough time, resources and attention are poured into two of Chicago’s most captivating performers. —Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 25 Jan. 2025

But the disconnect between its lofty themes and the shallowness of its characters and world-building undermines its grand ambitions. —Judy Berman, TIME, 24 Jan. 2025

Officially released January 24, all the usual trappings of the album rollout ramped up to the return of world-building not seen since her last album, MAGDALENE, five years ago. —Arimeta Diop, Vulture, 24 Jan. 2025

That film, which grossed more than $400 million worldwide, scored 10 nominations at the 2022 Oscars, including best picture, and swept the technical categories for its immersive and visually stunning world-building. —Josh Rottenberg, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1983, in the meaning defined above