build

 
Pronunciation: /bɪld/

verb (past and past participle built /bɪlt/)

[with object]
  • 1construct (something) by putting parts or material together: the ironworks were built in 1736
  • commission, finance, and oversee the building of (something): the county council plans to build a bypass
  • (build something in/into) incorporate something and make it a permanent part of a structure, system, or situation: engineers want to build in extra traction
  • Computing compile (a program, database, index, etc.): you can build database applications without writing any code
  • 2make or become stronger or more intense: [with object]: we built up confidence in our abilities [no object]: the air of excited anticipation builds
  • establish and develop (a business or situation) over a period of time: he’d built up the store from nothing
  • [no object] (build on) use as a basis for further development: Britain should build on the talents of its workforce

noun

  • 1 [mass noun] the proportions of a person’s or animal’s body: she was of medium height and slim build [in singular]: he had an ideal build for a sprinter
  • 2the style or form of construction of something, especially a vehicle: the car’s high specification and impressive build quality
  • 3 Computing a compiled version of a program: a beta build of the program
  • [mass noun] the process of compiling a program.

Phrases

build one's hopes up

become ever more hopeful or optimistic about something: don’t build your hopes up, Julia, you’ll only get hurt

built on sand

without reliable foundations or any real substance: with the benefit of hindsight it can be seen that his argument was built on sand

Origin:

Old English byldan, from bold, botl 'dwelling', of Germanic origin; related to bower1