build definition

1. form or accumulate steadily
• examples: Resistance to the manager's plan built up quickly
• examples: Pressure is building up at the Indian-Pakistani border
2. build or establish something abstract
• examples: build a reputation
3. improve the cleansing action of
• examples: build detergents
4. order, supervise, or finance the construction of
• examples: The government is building new schools in this state
5. give form to, according to a plan
• examples: build a modern nation
• examples: build a million-dollar business
6. be engaged in building
• examples: These architects build in interesting and new styles
7. found or ground
• examples: build a defense on nothing but the accused person's reputation
8. bolster or strengthen
• examples: We worked up courage
• examples: build up confidence
• examples: ramp up security in the airports
9. develop and grow
• examples: Suspense was building right from the beginning of the opera