building
noun (countable)
UK/ˈbɪl.dɪŋ/US/ˈbɪl.dɪŋ/
a structure with walls and a roof, such as a house, school, or factory
Example Sentences
They plan to renovate the old building downtown.
Her office is on the fifth floor of the new building.
We walked around the historic district admiring each building’s unique architecture.
The city council approved the construction of a new office building near the station.
Each building in the complex has a distinct design, yet they all share common amenities.
Emergency exits should be clearly marked in any public building.
After years of planning and fundraising, the community finally had enough resources to begin restoring the century-old building, preserving it for future generations to appreciate and learn from.
Standing at over fifty stories tall, the skyscraper was the tallest building in the region, featuring state-of-the-art sustainability measures and a stunning panoramic view from its rooftop garden.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
How to Use
A constructed edifice for occupation or use, or the act of creating structuresAs a noun, “building” typically refers to any constructed structure where people live, work, or gather—anything from a simple house to a towering skyscraper. In this sense, you can talk about the building’s function, size, or architectural style. For instance, you might describe “an office building” in the city’s downtown core or “an old stone building” from historical times. In a gerund form, “building” means the process of putting something together—similar to ‘constructing.’ For example, “We’re building a new deck” references the work-in-progress. When clarifying context, specify whether you mean the physical structure (the finished product) or the ongoing act (the process of construction). Pairing the noun with modifiers—like “residential,” “commercial,” or “industrial”—helps indicate purpose. If you’re speaking of the process, highlight who’s involved and what’s being constructed, ensuring you convey whether it’s a small DIY job or a large-scale development project.
Alternatives
To avoid repeating the word “building” when referring to physical structures, you might say “structure,” “edifice,” “premises,” or “property,” depending on formality and context. For government or institutional contexts, “facility” might fit, while “complex” can emphasize multiple components—like “an apartment complex.” If you’re describing the process of construction, you could use “constructing,” “erecting,” or “assembling” to shift focus from the noun to the action, such as “They are erecting a new wing on the hospital.” When speaking informally, phrases like “putting up” or “working on” might suffice—“They’re putting up a new store downtown.” Each alternative frames the idea of ‘building’ slightly differently, so choose what best matches your tone—formal, casual, technical, or creative—and clarifies whether you’re referencing a completed structure, a complex of buildings, or the act of construction itself.
Writing
In formal writing—be it technical, academic, or professional—“building” can denote physical structures and broader architectural concepts. Consider being explicit: “The building’s foundation requires reinforced concrete” gives clarity about the part or process under discussion. If you’re analyzing urban development, you might detail how “new commercial buildings influence local employment.” When focusing on the action of creating or constructing, you can shift to precise terms like “construction” or “erection” to underline the development phase. In historical or cultural analyses, you could note how certain buildings reflect architectural styles or historical periods, like “Baroque-era buildings in the city center.” If the text is about internal spaces—like offices, lobbies, or facilities—specify how the building’s structure influences movement or activities. Varying your language—sometimes saying “structure,” “facility,” or “edifice”—helps avoid repetition, which can dull your writing. And if you’re discussing intangible building (like building a theory or argument), you can pivot to “construct,” “formulate,” or “develop” for clarity. Summaries and transitions can reinforce your points, showing how each section ‘builds upon’ or ‘complements’ another idea, reflecting the metaphorical sense of assembling components into a coherent whole.
Casual Conversation
In everyday conversation, “building” often just means a place where people do stuff—like living, working, or hanging out. You might say, “We’re meeting in that big office building on Main Street,” or “Her apartment building doesn’t allow pets.” If you’re talking about a new place under construction, it’s common to say, “They’re building a new coffee shop around the corner,” focusing on the ongoing process. People also speak about “building up” or “building on” an idea or skill set—like “I’m building up my cooking skills,” or “He’s building on last year’s experience to start a new project.” When you’re being informal, you might simply point and say, “That building on the left is my school,” or mention, “We spent the day building a treehouse in the backyard.” Whether referencing the noun or the verb, daily chatter uses “building” without fuss, letting context clue listeners in on if you mean a physical structure or the act of putting something together. Just clarify location or intention if there’s any question: “That old building’s scheduled for demolition,” or “We’ll be building new shelves after lunch.”
Etymology
“Building” stems from the Old English “bylding,” related to “byldan” (an early form of the verb “to build”) and originally referred to both the action of constructing and the result—a structure. Over centuries, as societies grew and architecture advanced, “building” became a staple word for any fixed construction. Related Germanic languages carry similar roots highlighting the act of making a place for human activity. The verb form’s lineage underscores humanity’s longstanding practice of shaping spaces for shelter, work, and social gatherings. Eventually, the term also gained broader metaphorical usage—applying to incremental processes of growth or development, whether you’re ‘building’ a business, a career, or a skill set. In modern English, “building” seamlessly shifts between its noun sense (the finished or existing edifice) and gerund sense (the act of constructing), embodying both the tangible results of construction and the step-by-step process that brings them into being.
