build
v.v. to make something by putting parts together. You can use it for physical things like houses or digital things like websites.
v. to construct by assembling parts or materials; to develop or increase something over time. Transitive — requires a direct object.
They plan to build a new house next year.
The engineering team worked for months to build a secure platform that could handle millions of users.
While it is easy to build a basic prototype, creating a scalable architecture requires a deep understanding of how different software components interact under heavy load.
Etymology tree Proto-West Germanic *buþlijan Old English bytlan Middle English bylden English build From Middle English bilden, bulden, bylden, from Old English byldan and bytlan, bytlian (“to build”), from Proto-West Germanic buþlijan (“to build”), from Proto-Germanic buþlą, bōþlą (“house, dwelling, farm”), from Proto-Indo-European bʰuH- (“to become, grow, thrive, be, live, dwell”). Related to Old English botl (“building, house”). More at bottle.
The verb is transitive and takes a direct object; often used metaphorically with abstract nouns like 'trust' or 'reputation'.
He builded a sandcastleHe built a sandcastleThe past tense and past participle of 'build' is the irregular form 'built', not 'builded'.
- 01
build a better mousetrap
To create a new product, method, or idea that is better than an existing version of something already common or widely used.
- 02
build a case
to compile evidence that supports a charge against someone.
- 03
build bridges
Often followed by between or to: to establish friendly relations or links.