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

In a letter to members sent Wednesday morning, leaders assured the community that the congregation’s Torah scrolls had been rescued from the sanctuary, chapel and classrooms before the fire destroyed the building. —Deborah Netburn, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025

At least two people have been killed in the Palisades and Eaton blazes, which have thus far burned over 7,000 acres and destroyed over 1,000 homes, businesses and other buildings, according to The Los Angeles Times. —Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 8 Jan. 2025

Baseball and football fields were damaged, and officials could not immediately confirm the conditions of other buildings. —Troy Closson, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025

More than a thousand homes, businesses and other buildings have burned and at least two people are dead in the destructive firestorms, as of Wednesday morning. —David Caraccio, Sacramento Bee, 8 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