1
: something produced by building up
fluid buildup in the lungs
2
: the act or process of building up
built up; building up; builds up
1
: to develop gradually by increments
building up endurance
built up a library
2
: to promote the health, strength, esteem, or reputation of
: to accumulate or develop appreciably
Synonyms
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
Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 29 Dec. 2024
If the government falls behind, the buildup of damage from extreme storms can leave officials with no choice but to tear down the whole pier.
—Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 28 Dec. 2024
Andrew Rosenblum, Popular Science, 26 Dec. 2024
Alverno has built up its endowment over the past decade from about $22 million to as much as $42 million in 2021, according to federal education data.
—Kelly Meyerhofer, Journal Sentinel, 26 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for buildup 
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Noun
Unless the buildup is heavy, using the cloth alone without any glass cleaner will do an amazing job.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 29 Dec. 2024
If the government falls behind, the buildup of damage from extreme storms can leave officials with no choice but to tear down the whole pier.
—Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 28 Dec. 2024
Verb
These mRNAs are then targeted for degradation in the gut cells of the beetle, causing damaged proteins to build up to fatal levels in the insect.
—Andrew Rosenblum, Popular Science, 26 Dec. 2024
Alverno has built up its endowment over the past decade from about $22 million to as much as $42 million in 2021, according to federal education data.
—Kelly Meyerhofer, Journal Sentinel, 26 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for buildup
Dictionary Entries Near buildup
Cite this Entry
“Buildup.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/buildup. Accessed 3 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
buildup
noun
build·up
ˈbil-ˌdəp 
1
: something produced by building up
2
: the act or process of building up
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