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

Verb

• accelerate
• accumulate
• appreciate
• balloon
• boom
• burgeon
• bourgeon
• climb
• enlarge
• escalate
• expand
• gain
• increase
• mount
• multiply
• mushroom
• proliferate
• rise
• roll up
• snowball
• spread
• swell
• wax

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

Eventually, a buildup of carbon dioxide from volcanic outgassing may have warmed the planet again. —Liam Courtney-Davies, Discover Magazine, 14 Nov. 2024

The company used $0.1 million in cash flow from operations during the third quarter of 2024, primarily due to a buildup of inventory resulting from unfavorable product pricing and limited export opportunities. —Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024

Verb

Teams see other benefits in building up their streaming presence. —Matt Craig, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024

Button Sweater $70 $42 American Eagle Courtesy of brand Offline by Aerie Warmup Pocket Leggings $60 $36 Aerie Zara Black Friday Deals Another retailer that rarely holds online sales, Zara is building up excitement for the big day with a wide array of new discounts on trendy basics. —Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 19 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1926, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1555, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

buildup

noun

build·​up ˈbil-ˌdəp 

1

: something produced by building up

2

: the act or process of building up