WordGarden.iobuildup
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /bˈɪldʌp/
US
- /ˈbɪlˌdəp/
Meanings
Noun
a gradual increase or accumulation of something
the preparation or lead-up before an event
an increase in military forces or weapons
More meaningsFewer meanings
publicity or promotion meant to create anticipation
a gradual rise in tension or intensity toward a climax
Beyond the definition
A buildup isn't always about things getting bigger—it can be about preparing for something big! Think of a drummer slowly increasing the tempo before a powerful crash, or a detective gathering clues before revealing a solution. That's a buildup. It also describes an accumulation of something over time, like snow building up during a blizzard or tension building up between characters in a story. You might feel anticipation before a concert or watch traffic building up on the highway.
The word is most commonly used as a noun, but it also comes from the verb phrase build up. You might say, "There was a significant buildup of pressure in the pipe" (noun), or "The protesters began to build up their numbers" (verb). It can even refer to physical health, such as an athlete building up strength and muscle through consistent training.
"Buildup" describes the gradual increase or accumulation of something over time, often leading to a climax or significant event. It's more than just a change in size; it implies a process of preparation, intensification, or gathering momentum.
You might experience a buildup of tension in a suspenseful movie as the plot thickens, or witness a buildup of snow during a winter storm. A political campaign often involves a buildup of support and fundraising efforts before an election. In science, it can refer to the accumulation of energy—like when you shuffle across a carpet and build up a charge of static electricity.
As a verb phrase, "to build up" means to increase something gradually. You might build up your stamina by exercising regularly or build up a tolerance to medication over time. It can also describe the work put into strengthening a relationship: "They spent years building up trust."
However, a buildup isn't always positive. It can describe an undesirable accumulation, like plaque building up in arteries or stress building up from a demanding job. Sometimes it even refers to the way a narrative is constructed, such as a media buildup of a sensationalized story. Whether it is the anticipation before a big event or the slow gathering of resources, "buildup" signifies a process of accumulation leading toward a significant outcome.
Examples
- 1
Surface residue
Years of smoke left a dark buildup on the ceiling.
- 2
Medical finding
The scans showed a buildup of fluid in his lungs.
- 3
Public pressure
There has been a steady buildup of pressure on the company to lower its prices.
- 4
Story tension
The director handles the buildup to the final scene really well.
- Patternthe buildup to + event
the period or events before it
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Military activity
News reports spoke of a military buildup near the border.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Do not confuse
- build up
Used with (collocations)
- plaque buildup
- buildup of pressure
- fluid buildup
- military buildup
Word family
- build
- built-up
Explore
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- buildupnoun
Forms
- buildupspluralnoun