build up meaning and definition

BUILD UP verb

Definition of build up (verb)

1. enlarge, develop, or increase by degrees or in stages
   • "build up your savings"
2. form or accumulate steadily
   • "Resistance to the manager's plan built up quickly"; "Pressure is building up at the Indian-Pakistani border"
   • synonyms: build, progress, work up
3. prepare oneself for a military confrontation
   • "The U.S. is girding for a conflict in the Middle East"; "troops are building up on the Iraqi border"
   • synonyms: arm, fortify, gird
   • antonym: demilitarise
4. bolster or strengthen
   • "We worked up courage"; "build up confidence"; "ramp up security in the airports"
   • synonyms: build, ramp up, work up
5. change the use of and make available or usable
   • "develop land"; "The country developed its natural resources"; "The remote areas of the country were gradually built up"
   • synonyms: develop