build in
B1Neutral, Common in business, technical, and everyday contexts.
Definition
Meaning
To construct something as an integral part of something else during its original creation.
To incorporate a feature, rule, limitation, or cost as a permanent or inherent part of a system, plan, or object from the outset.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often used in passive constructions (e.g., 'is built in'). As a verb phrase, it can be separated ('build safety features in' / 'build in safety features'). The hyphenated form 'built-in' is a common attributive adjective.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The hyphenated adjective form 'built-in' is used identically.
Connotations
Equally neutral and functional in both variants.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American business/tech contexts, but common in both.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Agent] builds in [Feature] to [Object][Object] has [Feature] built in[Feature] is built in (to [Object])Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Build-in obsolescence”
- “A built-in advantage”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
We need to build in a 10% contingency for unexpected costs.
Academic
The researcher built in control variables to account for demographic differences.
Everyday
The new fridge has a built-in water dispenser.
Technical
The architect built in expansion joints to accommodate thermal movement.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The developers will build in extra storage from the outset.
- You must build these risks in to your financial model.
American English
- Let's build in a few extra days for travel delays.
- The contract builds in penalties for late delivery.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My new car has built-in air conditioning.
- We built in a break during the long meeting.
- The architect built in a large window to get more light.
- The cost of materials is built into our budget.
- The law builds in a review period every five years.
- Their cultural bias was so built-in that they didn't even notice it.
- The treaty's weakness was built-in through deliberately ambiguous wording.
- We need to build in mechanisms for stakeholder feedback at every stage of the project.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a house being BUILT with the wiring already INSIDE the walls—not added later.
Conceptual Metaphor
INCLUSION IS PHYSICAL CONSTRUCTION (Features are like bricks laid during the building process).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid literal translation as 'строить в'. Use 'встраивать'/'встроенный' for the adjective.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'build in' when 'install' is more accurate for adding something later.
- Confusing 'build in' with 'build on' (to develop further).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'built-in' correctly as an adjective?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
As a verb, it's two words ('to build in a feature'). The adjective is hyphenated ('a built-in feature').
'Install' suggests adding a separate component to an already existing system. 'Build in' means the component is part of the initial design and construction.
Yes, very commonly. E.g., 'build in time for questions' (schedule it from the start) or 'built-in prejudice' (inherent, not learned).
In computing contexts, it is sometimes seen as a single word (e.g., 'a builtin function'), but the hyphenated form 'built-in' remains the standard spelling in general English.