/bɪld ||; bɪld/verb (
past tense past participle built /bɪlt
||; bɪlt/)
1 [T] to make sth by putting pieces, materials, etc together 建造；建筑: They've built a new bridge across the river. 他们在河上架了一座新桥。The house is built of stone. 这座房子是用石头盖的。
2 [I] to use land for building on 盖房子: There's plenty of land to build on around here. 这附近可以盖房子的土地多着呢。
3 [T] to develop or increase sth 建设；发展；增加: The government is trying to build a more modern society. 政府正致力建设一个更为现代化的社会。This book claims to help people to build their self-confidence. 这本书自称可以助人建立自信。
build sth in/on; build sth into/onto sth to make sth a part of sth else 使某物成为另一物的组成部份:
They've made sure that a large number of checks are built into the system. 他们已经确保这个制度内设有不少制衡机制。We're planning to build two more rooms onto the back of the house. 我们打算在房子后面再盖两个房间。 build on sth to use sth as a base from which you can make further progress 以…为基础而进一步发展:
Now that we're beginning to make a profit, we must build on this success. 我们既已开始有盈余，就应再接再厉做下去。 build sth on sth to base sth on sth 把…作为某事物的参照或基础:
a society built on the principle of freedom and democracy 依循自由、民主的原则建立的社会 build up (to sth) to become greater in amount or number; to increase 增加:
The traffic starts to build up at this time of day. 每天到了这个时候来往的车辆就多起来。 build sth up 1 to make sth seem more important or greater than it really is 夸大；吹嘘: I don't think it's a very serious matter, it's just been built up in the newspapers. 我不认为这个问题很严重，只不过被报章夸大了。
2 to increase or develop sth over a period 逐步增加或建立: You'll need to build up your strength again slowly after the operation. 手术后你要把身体慢慢调理好。