building block

noun

Definition of building blocknext
as in member
one of the parts that make up a whole historically the infantry division has been a basic building block of armies

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of building block Both systems come with all the basic building blocks of Wi-Fi 7 technology that let the standard deliver more reliable wireless performance than its predecessors. — Tom Brant, PCMAG, 19 Feb. 2025 But in 2004, mathematicians finally succeeded in showing that all the building blocks must fall into one of three categories, or else belong to a list of 26 outliers. — Leila Sloman, Quanta Magazine, 19 Feb. 2025 In the nascent field of AI hacking, indirect prompt injection has become a basic building block for inducing chatbots to exfiltrate sensitive data or perform other malicious actions. — Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 11 Feb. 2025 Protein is the main building block of our muscles, tissues, virus-fighting antibodies and more. — Isobel Whitcomb, New York Times, 10 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for building block
Recent Examples of Synonyms for building block
  1. member
  2. component
  3. factor
  4. element
  5. ingredient
Noun
  • Kelly McKinney is a former deputy commissioner at the New York City Office of Emergency Management and a former member of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Advisory Council.
    — Kelly McKinney, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025
  • But the chief justice has continued to attend, while other members of the court have long ago stopped going.
    — Adam Liptak, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2025
Definition of member
Noun
  • The work included fitting such go-fast components as a Crower billet crankshaft, Manley titanium valves, an LSM custom camshaft, Kaase Boss cylinder heads, and a McLeod clutch and flywheel for the Tremec T56 Magnum six-speed manual transmission.
    — Howard Walker, Robb Report, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Base rates are a major component of electricity bills that also include other charges for things like hurricane repairs and fuel.
    — Emily L. Mahoney, Orlando Sentinel, 3 Mar. 2025
Definition of component
Noun
  • The office confirmed that foul play is not suspected as a factor in the deaths at this time, but the cause of death has not been determined.
    — Christina Shaw, Fox News, 27 Feb. 2025
  • In general, the wealth gap between Black and white savers has been widening due to an array of factors, including Black households having less exposure to the stock market, existing barriers to Black homeownership and the undervaluation of homes in communities of color.
    — Jesse Pound, CNBC, 27 Feb. 2025
Definition of factor
Noun
  • And after last year enjoying his second-most productive RBI season (104) and matching the second-most home runs of his career (27) while helping spark the Royals at last back to the postseason, it’s all made for another element in the formula of how to manage him.
    — Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 7 Mar. 2025
  • The element of luck in the draft selection process often provides a conundrum to NBA executives, who are terrified of taking a major swing only to have their future determined by an unlucky bounce of a ping-pong ball.
    — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of element
Noun
  • In a farm-to-facial approach, each ingredient is harvested on-site, and the products are scientifically tested in its Sausalito lab and Botnia Atelier treatment room.
    — Morgan Tilton, The Denver Post, 4 Mar. 2025
  • The ingredients are tossed with the seasoning blend and added in three intervals based on their cooking times.
    — Jessica Saari Christensen, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Mar. 2025
Definition of ingredient

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building block
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Cite this Entry

“Building block.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/building%20block. Accessed 10 Mar. 2025.

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