built: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
A1Neutral. Common in all registers from everyday conversation to formal technical and academic writing.
Quick answer
What does “built” mean?
The past tense and past participle of 'build', meaning to construct or create something, often a physical structure or a more abstract entity like a system or reputation.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The past tense and past participle of 'build', meaning to construct or create something, often a physical structure or a more abstract entity like a system or reputation.
Used to describe something's physical or inherent form, e.g., 'stockily built'. Can also refer to something being an integral part or foundation of something else, e.g., 'The assumption is built into the model'. More abstractly, it can describe accumulated outcomes, e.g., 'a career built on trust'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. The core meaning and usage are identical. Potential minor differences in typical collocates due to regional vocabulary (e.g., UK 'estate' vs. US 'development' for housing).
Connotations
Identical in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally high-frequency in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “built” in a Sentence
[S] + built + [O] (They built a house)[S] + be built + of/from/out of + [material] (It was built of stone)[S] + be built + on/upon + [foundation/idea] (The theory is built on earlier work)[S] + be built + into + [system] (Safeguards are built into the process)[S] + have/get + [O] + built (We had an extension built)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “built” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The Victorians built this railway line.
- She's built a formidable reputation in the field.
- They've built a conservatory onto the back of the house.
American English
- They built the development on old farmland.
- He built his company from the ground up.
- The software has a lot of safety features built in.
adverb
British English
- (Not typically used as a standalone adverb. 'Built-in' functions as an adjective.)
American English
- (Not typically used as a standalone adverb. 'Built-in' functions as an adjective.)
adjective
British English
- He's a powerfully built rugby player.
- We're looking for a purpose-built facility.
- The built environment affects our wellbeing.
American English
- She's sturdily built for a gymnast.
- The new phone has a built-in stylus.
- We study the built heritage of the city.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Common in contexts of company growth ('a business built on customer service'), infrastructure, and product development ('features built into the software').
Academic
Used literally in engineering/architecture. Figuratively in humanities/social sciences for theories, arguments, or models ('a hypothesis built upon prior research').
Everyday
Ubiquitous for discussing houses, furniture, LEGO, relationships, and plans ('We built a shed last summer', 'Trust is built over time').
Technical
Precise in engineering, computing ('built-in function', 'the CPU is built on a 7nm process'), and manufacturing.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “built”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “built”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “built”
- Incorrect: *'They have build a new school.' (Correct: 'They have built/have been building...')
- Incorrect: *'It was build in 1999.' (Correct: 'It was built...')
- Incorrect: Using 'built' as a base verb. (Correct: 'They *build* houses. They *built* one last year.')
- Spelling confusion with 'build' vs. 'built'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While its primary use is physical, it is very commonly used metaphorically for abstract concepts like relationships, reputations, careers, arguments, and systems (e.g., 'built on trust', 'built into the software').
'Built of' emphasises the primary material (built of brick). 'Built from' often suggests the material was transformed or is one of several components (built from recycled steel). 'Built with' highlights a tool, method, or a secondary component (built with care, built with a new type of crane).
Yes. It can describe someone's physique (a strongly built man) or describe something as being an integral part of something else (a built-in microphone, a built-up area).
The most common error is using the base form 'build' when the past tense or participle 'built' is required, especially in passive constructions (e.g., incorrectly saying 'It was build in 1999' instead of 'It was built in 1999').
The past tense and past participle of 'build', meaning to construct or create something, often a physical structure or a more abstract entity like a system or reputation.
Built is usually neutral. common in all registers from everyday conversation to formal technical and academic writing. in register.
Built: in British English it is pronounced /bɪlt/, and in American English it is pronounced /bɪlt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Rome wasn't built in a day”
- “built like a tank/brick outhouse”
- “built on sand”
- “built to last”
- “a reputation built on...”
- “have/be built-in (as a feature)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'BUILT' as containing 'U' and 'I' – 'U and I' can build something together, resulting in something that is now BUILT.
Conceptual Metaphor
IDEAS ARE BUILDINGS ('His argument is built on shaky foundations'), RELATIONSHIPS ARE BUILDINGS ('They built a life together'), CAREERS/REPUTATIONS ARE BUILDINGS ('She built a successful career from nothing').
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'built' used in a primarily metaphorical sense?