build (n.)

  1. constitution of the human body

    [ Syn: physique , body-build , habitus ]

  2. alternative names for the body of a human being; Leonardo studied the human body; he has a strong physique; the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak

    [ Syn: human body , physical body , material body , soma , figure , physique , anatomy , shape , bod , chassis , frame , form , flesh ]

    build (v.)

  1. make by combining materials and parts; this little pig made his house out of straw; Some eccentric constructed an electric brassiere warmer

    [ Syn: construct , make ]

  2. develop and grow; Suspense was building right from the beginning of the opera'

  3. form or accumulate steadily; Resistance to the managers plan built up quickly; Pressure is building up at the Indian-Pakistani border

    [ Syn: build up , work up , progress ]

  4. build or establish something abstract; build a reputation

    [ Syn: establish ]

  5. improve the cleansing action of; build detergents'

  6. order, supervise, or finance the construction of; The government is building new schools in this state'

  7. give form to, according to a plan; build a modern nation; build a million-dollar business'

  8. be engaged in building; These architects build in interesting and new styles'

  9. found or ground; build a defense on nothing but the accused person's reputation'

  10. bolster or strengthen; We worked up courage; build up confidence; ramp up security in the airports

    [ Syn: build up , work up , ramp up ]

The dictionary is based on the WordNet Electronic Lexical Database.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2011 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.