build-outs

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   The process or result of expanding a system, space, or business so it can serve more people or hold more things.

   Grammar: Countable: one project is 'a build-out', several are 'build-outs'.

   Patterns

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

   The company spent two years on the build-out of its fiber network.

   The build-outs in the suburbs added thousands of new homes.

   A major build-out of the warehouse is planned for next spring.

2. 2nouncountablebusiness

   A finished structure or set of rooms added to an existing building, especially inside a rented space.

   Grammar: Countable; often used in the plural when talking about several completed spaces.

   Patterns

   • office build-outs
   • a retail build-out
   • custom build-outs

   The landlord pays for basic office build-outs.

   Their build-outs include lighting, flooring, and shelving.

   We toured three completed build-outs before signing the lease.

Word forms

Common combinations

network build-out

The network build-out will reach rural towns by 2027.

office build-out

The office build-out took only six weeks.

fund a build-out

Investors agreed to fund the build-out of the factory.

complete a build-out

Crews completed the build-out ahead of schedule.

Synonyms and how they differ

expansion

More general and can refer to growth in size, sales, or staff, not just physical construction.

construction

Focuses on the building work itself, while a build-out stresses extending something that already exists.

Opposites

Word family

build out phrasal verb

to expand or complete a system or space

builder noun

a person or company that constructs things

building noun

a structure with walls and a roof

Commonly confused: build-outs or buildout?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “build-outs”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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