1
: something produced by building up
fluid buildup in the lungs
2
: the act or process of building up
built up; building up; builds up
1
: to develop gradually by increments
building up endurance
built up a library
2
: to promote the health, strength, esteem, or reputation of
: to accumulate or develop appreciably
Examples of buildup in a Sentence
Noun
There is a big traffic buildup on the highway.
You should clean the mechanism regularly to prevent buildup of dirt.
Both players were given big buildups before the game.
Verb
static electricity built up on the cat's fur
the roller coaster built up momentum
Recent Examples on the Web
Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
Doing so prevents condensation buildup inside the tank, which can eventually lead to rust.
—Halee Miller Van Ryswyk, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Apr. 2025
Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2025
Atherosclerosis develops when plaque builds up in the arteries and can cause complications such as heart attack, stroke, and heart failure.1516
Potential Side Effects and Considerations
Collagen supplements are typically well-tolerated.
—Karen Berger, Pharmd, Verywell Health, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for buildup
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Noun
The largest deployment of stealth bombers in U.S. history to Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia was accompanied by Iran's buildup of missiles on another set of contested islands in the Persian Gulf.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
Doing so prevents condensation buildup inside the tank, which can eventually lead to rust.
—Halee Miller Van Ryswyk, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
But, cleaning it regularly and keeping the space well-ventilated greatly helps prevent the build up of mold.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2025
Atherosclerosis develops when plaque builds up in the arteries and can cause complications such as heart attack, stroke, and heart failure.1516
Potential Side Effects and Considerations
Collagen supplements are typically well-tolerated.
—Karen Berger, Pharmd, Verywell Health, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for buildup
Cite this Entry
“Buildup.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/buildup. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
buildup
noun
build·up
ˈbil-ˌdəp 
1
: something produced by building up
2
: the act or process of building up
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