DictionaryAI

building

BIL-ding/ˈbɪl.dɪŋ/

Pluralbuildings

4 meanings of building

Practice

  1. 1
    structurenouncountable
    A structure with walls and a roof, such as a house, school, or store.

    Like a big box with walls and a roof where people can stay.

    The tall building had more than thirty floors.

    We stayed inside the building until the storm passed.

    UsageOften after another noun: school building, office building.

    Similaredifice

  2. 2
    constructing nowverb
    Present participle of build. Use this form for an action happening now or as a naming word for the activity.

    They are building a new house next door.

    She is building a model ship from tiny parts.

    UsageSay building a bridge, or the building of a bridge.

    Note
  3. 3
    construction worknoununcountable
    The work of putting up a house, bridge, or other structure.

    Like slowly stacking blocks until a tall tower stands.

    The building of the new library took three years.

    Bad weather slowed the building of the road.

    UsageOften the building of something: the building of the road.

    Similarconstruction

    Oppositedemolition, destruction

Less common meaning

  1. 4
    noun
    A kind of math structure made of many flat pieces fitted together, used to study symmetry.

building is a form of build

build, verb: To make things by joining materials or parts together. Full entry

Forms
buildbuilds he/she/itbuilding -ing formbuilt past tense, past participle
Spelling
build → building: add -ing

Practice

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Origins

Meanings 1, 3

From Middle English, made from the verb 'build' plus '-ing'.

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 1 fact

  • Building comes from Middle English and consists of the verb build plus -ing. en.wiktionary.org
Meaning 2

From Middle English, made from 'build' plus '-ing'.

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 2 facts