building
English meaning: Building
Definition
Present participle of 'build': making something by putting parts together, happening now.
Example
“They are building a new bridge across the river that should open to traffic next year.”
Another example: “They moved their offices to a gleaming new building in the city centre.”
Usage — When, Where & How
Present participle and gerund of 'build'; also a very common noun meaning a structure with walls and a roof ('a tall building'). The noun is everyday and concrete; the verb sense includes figurative use ('building trust'). Everyday register.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Old English 'byldan' (to build) plus the '-ing' ending.
Synonyms
- constructing
- erecting
- assembling
- edifice
- increasing
- construction
- augmenting
- augmentative
- heightening
Antonyms / Opposites
- destroying
- demolishing
Related Words
Common Collocations
- building a house
- office building
- building trust
- building blocks
- building site
- capacity building
Word Forms
build (v); built; built; building (n/v); builder (n)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B