building block
2
2.8
- noun
- /ˈbɪldɪŋ blɑk/
:
bloque
- Compressed earth blocks slash the cost of building blocks to pennies.
Examples
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Located in one of the most distinguished locations in Copenhagen, the second prize-winning proposal for the Solund Retirement Community by Henning Larsen Architects is designed as one large, continuous building block.
Blog text (11) -
With the economic liberalization in Zanzibar that began in 1985 has come a lucrative and occasionally illegal trade in the materials that are used to make the building blocks.
Academic text (1994) -
A very large building block laid for the future.
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The building blocks appear naturally.
Blog text (6) -
Then we spot big, carved building blocks tumbled amidst the limestone rubble.
Academic text (2004) -
Today there are many versions of the design, both in wax and fancy, all featuring children's lettered building blocks (see photograph 2).
Academic text (1994) -
The construction crew used concrete building blocks to create sturdy walls for the new school.
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He carefully stacked the building blocks to build a tall tower as part of his playtime.
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To ensure the house is stable, they chose high-quality building blocks made from reinforced concrete.
Synonyms
976
1.0
A hard natural rock used for building or a small piece of it
440
1.0
A hard rectangular block of baked clay used to build walls or paths
340
1.0
A solid piece of material used for building or play
16
2.9
A hollow rectangular block of concrete used to build walls
1
9.9
A stone block cut into a rectangle with straight edges and square corners that builders use in walls
1
2.7
A brick made from wet earth that gets hard and is used to build walls
A large solid piece of stone or concrete used in building
A light concrete block that builders use to make walls and sheds
A light concrete block used for building, made from waste from burned coal instead of stone
How Big
Surface Forms
Morphology
The noun 'building block' is directly compositional: 'building' (related to construction) + 'block' (a solid unit) yields a block used for building. This is a common noun-noun compounding pattern found across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the meaning.
Etymology
Building block originally named a single stone or concrete block used to make a building. It is still used in this literal way, so it means 'a block used in construction'.