How to pronounce building
Say it like BIL-ding. Building has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BIL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce building. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BIL
- ding
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Building pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BILSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- dingKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of building
American and British speakers say building in essentially the same way: /ˈbɪldɪŋ/ in the US and /ˈbɪldɪŋ/ in the UK.
British respelling: BIL-ding.
What does building mean?
- a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place“there was a three-story building on the corner”“it was an imposing edifice”
- the act of constructing something“during the construction we had to take a detour”“his hobby was the building of boats”
- the commercial activity involved in repairing old structures or constructing new ones“their main business is home construction”“workers in the building trades”
Where does building come from?
From Middle English byldynge, buyldyng, byldyng, buldynge, buldyng, boldyng, equivalent to build + -ing.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with building
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of building.
Questions about saying building
How do you pronounce building?
Say BIL-ding. The American pronunciation is /ˈbɪldɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˈbɪldɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in building?
Building has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BIL). Broken into parts: BIL · ding.
Do Americans and Brits say building the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈbɪldɪŋ/ and the British form is /ˈbɪldɪŋ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.