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government building

government building

30 2.3
A building where government offices are
  • noun
  • /ˈɡʌvərnmənt ˈbɪldɪŋ/
translation icon : edificio gubernamental
  • To date, many new commercial buildings, government buildings, nonprofits, and single-family homes have received LEED ratings.
  • government buildings and schools

How all these people rushed into this government building like that was planned.

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Examples

  • The street was practically deserted around the government buildings, and we were traveling at a leisurely pace, a thoughtful pace.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • Police officers arrest a protester in front of a government building in Pristina.

    Blog text (34)
  • This is a government building.

  • It's an abandoned government building.

  • Critical infrastructure sites include the police headquarters, city hall, government buildings, power stations, and special event locations.

    Blog text (14)
  • A police officer stands behind a police barricade in front of the government building in Pristina.

    Blog text (34)
  • The new government must physically reside in the government buildings, perhaps for numerous days asserting their presence and authority.

    Academic text (2007)
  • LoanSTAR funds energy-saving retrofits in state, public school, and local government buildings.

    Academic text (1994)
  • They're guarding government buildings.

  • The town hall is a prominent government building where residents gather for meetings.

Synonyms

city hall
vsgovernment building
  • US
34 2.2

A building where the mayor and main city government offices are

is a more general site for branch or agency staff across levels
statehouse
vsgovernment building
  • US
18 4.4

A building where state lawmakers meet to make laws

is primarily an agency or branch worksite rather than a legislative chamber
town hall
vsgovernment building
14 1.5

A building where local government offices work and meet the public

focuses on use as offices for a branch or agency rather than events
government office
vsgovernment building
14 1.0

A place where government workers do official work for the public

is used by a branch or agency to house staff and activities
Capitol Building
vsgovernment building
5 3.9

The building in Washington, D.C. where Congress meets

is used for everyday agency or branch staff work rather than national sessions
diplomatic building
vsgovernment building
4.3

A government building where diplomats live and work, like an embassy or consulate

is a domestic agency or branch workspace rather than a diplomatic residence

Surface Forms

Morphology

government + building

The meaning 'a building used as the offices of a branch or agency of the government' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'government' (the governing institution) with 'building' (a physical edifice). This noun–noun composition is a common, cross-linguistic pattern and would be immediately understandable to a B1 learner who knows both constituents.

Etymology

The name government building paints a simple picture: a building where the government works and has offices. That's why it means 'a building that is used as the offices of a branch or agency of the government'.