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

Perkins ensured Studio Yogi’s long-term sustainability by buying the building, which houses four storefronts, two of which are leased. —Mariah Guzman, Chicago Tribune, 1 Feb. 2025

Reports began swirling at the end of January that the building for the shuttered hotel would get new life as an office space, multiple sources reported. —Christine Rousselle, Fox News, 1 Feb. 2025

The other two buildings didn’t sustain much damage and were back up and running in a couple of weeks. —Martha Shade, CNN, 1 Feb. 2025

While final designs are still to be submitted, each turbine will soar as high as a 70-story building, with blades larger than a football field to harvest the maximum amount of wind. —Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Jan. 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

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