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Meaning & use

build out

verb, noun·Advancedbusinesstechnical

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UK/ˌbɪld ˈaʊt/
US/ˌbɪld ˈaʊt/

Meanings

  1. verbphrasal verbbusinesstechnical

    To expand or complete something, such as a system, space, or business, so it is fully developed.

    Grammar: Separable phrasal verb: build out the team / build the team out. Often used in business and tech.

    Patterns

    • build out something
    • build something out
    • build out from something

    The company plans to build out its network across the region.

    They built the basement out into a small office.

    We need to build out the team before the product launch.

  2. nouncountablebusinesstechnical

    The act or result of expanding or developing something, especially a building or system.

    Grammar: Usually written with a hyphen: 'the build-out of the new campus'.

    Patterns

    • the build-out of something
    • a build-out

    The build-out of the data center took six months.

    They are planning a major build-out of their retail stores.

Word forms

third person singularbuilds out
past tensebuilt out
past participlebuilt out
-ing formbuilding out

Common combinations

build out a network
The startup is building out a network of charging stations.
build out a team
We need to build out the team before the deadline.
build out a space
They built out the attic into a bedroom.
a major build-out
The company announced a major build-out of its warehouses.

Synonyms and how they differ

expand
A general word for making something bigger; 'build out' often suggests adding physical parts or completing a plan.
develop
Used for growing or improving something over time; 'build out' focuses on the construction or completion stage.
extend
Means to make something longer or reach further; 'build out' is more about adding capacity or finishing a structure.

Opposites

scale backshrinkreduce

Word family

buildout noun
The act or process of expanding something; often spelled 'build-out'.
builder noun
A person or company that constructs buildings.
building noun
A structure with walls and a roof.

Commonly confused: build out or build up?

build out vs build up

Means to increase or strengthen something gradually (build up your strength), while 'build out' means to expand or complete a physical or technical system.

Practice

The company wants to ___ its delivery network to cover the whole country.

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