/ ˈbɪldɪŋ; NAmE / noun
1.
[ C ] a structure such as a house or school that has a roof and walls :
tall / old / historic buildings
2.
[ U ] the process and work of building :
the building of the school
There's building work going on next door.
the building trade
building materials / costs / regulations
••
SYNONYMS
building
property ♦ premises ♦ complex ♦ structure ♦ block ♦ edifice
These are all words for a structure such as a house, office block or factory that has a roof and four walls
building
a structure such as a house, office block or factory that has a roof and four walls
property
a building or buildings and the surrounding land; land and buildings:
We have a buyer who would like to view the property.
•
The price of property has risen enormously.
NOTE
This word is often used when talking about buying / selling houses or other buildings and land.
premises
[pl.] the building or buildings and surrounding land that a business owns or uses:
The company is looking for larger premises.
complex
a group of buildings of a similar type together in one place:
a leisure complex
structure
a thing that is made of several parts, especially a building:
The pier is a wooden structure.
block
( BrE ) a tall building that contains flats or offices; a building that forms part of a school, hospital, etc. and is used for a particular purpose:
a block of flats
•
the school's science block
edifice
( formal ) a large impressive building.
PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS :
(a / an) commercial / industrial / residential building / property / premises / complex / block
an apartment building / complex / block
a/the school building / premises
a holiday property / complex
to build a(n) property / complex / structure / block / edifice
to erect a(n) building / property / complex / structure / block / edifice
to put up a building / property / structure / block
to demolish / pull down a(n) building / property / complex / structure / block / edifice