building
building
Pronunciation
building
/ˈbɪldɪŋ/
bil-: /bɪl/
/b/: voiced bilabial stop
/ɪ/: near-front near-unrounded vowel
/l/: alveolar lateral approximant
-ding: /dɪŋ/
/d/: voiced alveolar stop
/ɪ/: near-front near-unrounded vowel
/ŋ/: velar nasal
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: building
Plural Noun: buildings
Present Participle (Verb): building
Gerund (Noun): building
Third-person singular present (Verb): builds
Past Tense (Verb): built
Past Participle (Verb): built
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A permanent structure, typically roofed and walled, constructed for habitation, storage, manufacturing, or other specific purposes.
Synonyms: edifice, structure, construction, premises
Antonyms: ruin, demolition, destruction
The process or act of constructing something, especially a significant structure.
Synonyms: construction, erection, assembly, fabrication
Antonyms: dismantling, deconstruction, demolition
Verb (Present Participle/Gerund)
Engaging in the act of constructing or assembling something, especially a physical structure. (As in, "The workers are building a new skyscraper.")
Synonyms: constructing, erecting, fabricating, assembling
Antonyms: demolishing, destroying, dismantling
Developing or establishing something over time, often incrementally, such as a relationship, a reputation, or a business. (As in, "She is building a strong client base.")
Synonyms: developing, establishing, fostering, cultivating
Antonyms: undermining, eroding, dismantling
Examples of Use
Books:
"The old stone building stood silhouetted against the stormy sky, a testament to forgotten lives." (From a fictional novel, general usage)
"The architects meticulously studied the principles of sustainable building, aiming to create structures that harmonized with the environment." (From a non-fiction book on architecture, referring to the process of construction)
Newspapers:
"A new residential building is planned for the city center, promising to alleviate housing shortages." ( The Daily Chronicle, 2025, referring to a physical structure)
"The company is focused on building a stronger local economy through job creation and investment." (Business Today, 2025, referring to the process of developing/establishing)
Online Publications:
"Google's new campus features innovative designs, with a focus on collaborative workspaces and eco-friendly building materials." ( TechInsights.com, 2025, referring to both the structure and the materials used in its construction)
"The community is committed to building trust between residents and local law enforcement." (CommunityVoice.org, 2025, referring to the process of developing/establishing a relationship)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "King Kong scaled the Empire State Building, a cinematic icon of New York City." (From the film King Kong, 1933/2005, referring to a specific structure)
Television Series: "They're still building the set for the next season; it's a massive undertaking." (Dialogue from a behind-the-scenes documentary about a TV show, referring to the act of constructing)
Video Game: "Your primary objective is to defend the main building from enemy attacks." (Instruction in a strategy video game, referring to a game element/structure)
Song Lyrics: "We were building castles in the sand, dreams that would never end." (From a popular song, metaphorical use of "building" to represent creating dreams)
General Public Discourse:
"That's a beautiful old building, isn't it? I wonder what its history is." (A casual conversation between friends, referring to a physical structure)
"We're building momentum for the charity drive; donations are really picking up." (A remark made by a fundraiser, referring to the process of increasing something)
"The continuous building of new highways has significantly reduced travel times." (A public discussion about infrastructure, referring to the ongoing process of construction)
10 Famous Quotes Using Building
"We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us." (Winston Churchill)
"The first step toward building a stronger, fairer future is to ensure everyone has a seat at the table." (Kamala Harris)
"Art is not a thing, it is a way." "Art is not a building, it is a way of life." (Elbert Hubbard, commonly paraphrased as the second part)
"You don't start by building a house; you start by laying the foundation." (Unknown, common proverb)
"I believe in the importance of building bridges, not walls." (Attributed to various political figures and peace activists)
"Science is a way of building up knowledge about the world." (Carl Sagan)
"Character is like a building; it is built brick by brick." (Unknown, common saying)
"The best way to predict the future is to create it." (Peter Drucker, a synonymous quote to "building" a future)
"Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire." (William Butler Yeats, a metaphorical quote about "building" knowledge or understanding)
"Every moment is a fresh beginning. Every day is a fresh opportunity to build on your dreams." (Unknown, inspirational quote)
Etymology
The word "building" has a history that goes way back in English!
Imagine someone in Old English times trying to describe the act of putting together a house. The word they used was "byldan," which was a verb meaning "to construct a house." This verb actually came from an older word, "bold," which was a noun meaning "house" or "dwelling."
So, you can see the direct link: the act of "byldan" (building) was directly related to the "bold" (house) itself.
Over time, this verb "byldan" evolved into our modern "build." And then, in Middle English (around the 13th century, specifically by circa 1300), we started seeing "building" used as a noun.
Initially, this noun "building" referred to "a structure," like a house or any other constructed object. Soon after, in the late 14th century, it also began to describe "the act or process of constructing" something.
So, in essence, "building" comes from an old word for "house" and originally referred to both the finished structure and the process of making it. It's a very direct and practical word, stemming from the fundamental human need to create shelter and other structures.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Building
Building blocks: Fundamental components or principles on which something is based.
Building castles in the air: To fantasize or dream about impractical or impossible things.
Building a case: Accumulating evidence or arguments to support a particular claim or position.
Building bridges: Creating connections or fostering understanding between different groups or individuals.
Building character: Developing strong moral qualities and principles.
Building momentum: Gradually increasing speed, strength, or progress.
Building a reputation: Establishing a good or bad name for oneself over time.
Building up: To increase, strengthen, or develop gradually. (e.g., "building up muscle," "building up a collection")
Building on something: Using an existing foundation or idea to develop something further.
Construction zone ahead: (A phrase using a synonym for similar effect) Indicating an area where something is being built or assembled.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of building from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
