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to rear

to rear

4 7.0
To build a structure like a house or barn
  • verb
  • /rɪr/
translation icon : erigir
  • When he reached Washington Street, two things changed: the most enormous hill yet reared.

Examples

  • Onsite CSIRO quarantine facilities allow ARS researchers to rear insects for preliminary testing.

    Academic text (2000)
  • The burnt-out shell of the ruined building reared up against the sky ahead of him.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • Three paces into this cramped entranceway, a narrow flight of stairs reared abruptly and steeply up.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • They plan to rear a new community center to serve the residents of the area.

  • The construction crew will rear a bridge that connects the two towns.

  • The city council decided to rear a statue in honor of the local hero.

Synonyms

to set up
vsto rear
983 2.7

To assemble and prepare equipment or objects so they are ready to use

is specifically about constructing buildings and similar structures
to erect
vsto rear
80 4.1

Build something like a wall or statue

is the general word for constructing buildings or monuments
to put up
vsto rear
59 3.0

Build something like a wall or sign

is the more formal term for constructing buildings or monuments
to raise
vsto rear
46 3.7

To build a structure like a house or barn

describes construction generally without stressing gradual assembly

Antonyms

63 4.6

Knock down a building or other large structure completely

54 3.7

Completely destroy a building or large structure

Phrasal Verbs

15 4.7

To crash into the back of another car

To be the last person or thing in a group that is moving

to rear back
  • Informal
2 7.4

Move back suddenly in anger or protest

1 7.5

Rise up on the hind legs, lifting the front of the body

Compounds

rear end
  • Informal
25 2.0

The soft part of the body you sit on

9 2.5

A back window of a car that lets the driver and passengers see behind

A small mirror inside a car that shows the area behind the driver

rear admiral
  • Specialized
2 6.1

A senior navy officer who commands a group of ships and ranks above a captain

1 2.1

A red light at the back of a car that shows where it is

2.7

A red light at the back of a car that helps other drivers see it

rear gunner
  • Specialized
8.3

A crew member who operates a gun at the back of a military plane

Surface Forms

rear infinitive
reared past
reared past participle
rearing present participle
rears third person singular

Etymology

The verb rear meaning 'to build' also comes from the same idea 'raise', so to rear a building is to 'raise' it up or put it in place.