/ bɪld; NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb ( built , built / bɪlt; NAmE /)
1.
build sth (of / in / from sth) | build sth (for sb) | build sb sth to make sth, especially a building, by putting parts together :
[ vn ]
They have permission to build 200 new houses.
Robins build nests almost anywhere.
a house built of stone
They had a house built for them.
[ vnn ]
David built us a shed in the back yard.
[ v ]
They're going to build on the site of the old power station.
2.
[ vn ] to create or develop sth :
She's built a new career for herself.
We want to build a better life.
This information will help us build a picture of his attacker.
3.
[ v ] ( of a feeling ) to become gradually stronger :
The tension and excitement built gradually all day.
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IDIOMS
see castle , Rome
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PHRASAL VERBS
- build sth around sth
- build sth in | build sth into sth
- build on sth
- build sth on sth
- build sth on | build sth onto sth
- build up (to sth)
- build up to sth | build yourself up to sth
- build sb/sth up
- build sb / yourself up
- build sth up
■ noun
[ U , C , usually sing. ] the shape and size of the human body :
a man of average build
••
SYNONYMS
build
construct ♦ assemble ♦ erect ♦ set up ♦ put up ♦ put together
These words all mean to make sth, especially by putting different parts together.
build
to make sth, especially a building, by putting parts together:
a house built of stone
•
They're going to build on the site of the old power station.
construct
[often passive] ( rather formal ) to build sth such as a road, building or machine.
assemble
( rather formal ) to fit together all the separate parts of sth such as a piece of furniture or a machine:
The cupboard is easy to assemble.
erect
( formal ) to build sth; to put sth in position and make it stand upright:
Police had to erect barriers to keep crowds back.
set sth up
to build sth or place sth somewhere:
We decided to set up camp for the night.
put sth up
to build sth or place sth somewhere:
They're putting up new hotels in order to boost tourism in the area.
set sth up or put sth up?
Set sth up is not used for permanent buildings: They're setting up new hotels. . You set up camp but put up a tent . For other temporary structures you can use either word:
to set up / put up a fence / barrier / shelter
.
put sth together
to make or prepare sth by fitting or collecting parts together:
to put together a model plane
PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS :
to build / construct / erect / put up a house / bridge / wall
to build / construct / erect / put up some shelves
to build / construct / erect / put up a barrier / fence / shelter
to build / construct / assemble / put together a(n) engine / machine
to build / construct a road / railway / railroad / tunnel
to erect / put up a tent / statue / monument
to assemble / put together the parts / sections of sth
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English byldan , from bold , botl dwelling , of Germanic origin; related to bower .