/ Dictionary / Index B buildup: Meaning and Definition of Find definitions for: build•up Pronunciation: (bild'up"), [key] — n. a building up, as of military forces; increase in amount or number. a process of growth; strengthening; development: the buildup of heavy industry. an accumulation, as of a particular type of material: a buildup of salt deposits. an increase, as in potential, intensity, or pressure: A buildup of suspense began halfway through the movie. a progressive or sequential development: the buildup of helium atoms from hydrogen. praise or publicity designed to enhance a reputation or popularize someone or something: The studio spent $100,000 on the new star's buildup. a process of preparation designed to make possible the achievement of an ultimate objective: a lengthy buildup to a sales pitch. encouragement; a psychological lift: Every time I need a buildup, I look at her picture. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease. See also: buildup (Thesaurus) building trades built Related Content Daily Word Quiz: ingenuity Analogy of the Day: Today’s Analogy Spelling Bee: Today’s Spelling Bee Frequently Misspelled Words Frequently Mispronounced Words Easily Confused Words Writing & Language