as in members
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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Recent Examples of building blocks
The e-skin is made from magnetic patches that fit together like building blocks.
—
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 12 Jan. 2026
But for this team, there’s building blocks for sure.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 3 Jan. 2026
The scene came in a fictional segment parodying Ayn Rand's The Fountainhead in which Maggie defends her architectural talents after her daycare teacher punishes her for making beautiful structures from building blocks.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Dec. 2025
The ecstasy of love and the fear of passing poison through one’s blood are, for Dijon, building blocks as elemental as drums.
—Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 8 Dec. 2025
Protein is made up of amino acids, which are known as building blocks.
—Karen Berger, Verywell Health, 30 Nov. 2025
Wine Terms to Know Structure Intensity of flavor, richness of body, acidity, and tannins are all building blocks that lend structure to wine.
—Anna Lee C. Iijima, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Nov. 2025
View gallery - 7 images Functioning a little like oversized Lego, the versatility of shipping containers ensures that architects never run out of ideas for using them as building blocks.
—New Atlas, 6 Oct. 2025
While no life has been found on the 310-mile-wide moon, the discovery confirms that building blocks for it could be present, Nozair Khawaja, a planetary scientist at the Free University of Berlin in Germany, who led the study, said in a press release.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for building blocks
Noun
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Per the Haslet city code, council members are entitled to a minimum of one item listed on each council meeting agenda, which the mayor is in charge of putting together.—
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Before using a Magic Eraser to clean a surface, Aziz encourages her team members to think about whether or not fine sandpaper would damage the surface in question.—
Noun
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The reason behind this movement was a complex combination of the shifting need for resources, population pressures and external political factors.—
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Common Mistakes To Avoid in Muscle Building While increasing protein intake is important for muscle protein synthesis and overall muscle health, other factors are also involved in muscle growth.—
Noun
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With its grease-cutting ingredients, dish soap will help cut through any greasy film or residue.—
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Made with plush ingredients like fleece, flannel, or cotton, electric blankets are just like regular throws but with wires woven into the fabric that generate heat.—
Noun
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Researchers have demonstrated that consumer-grade 3D printers and inexpensive materials can produce advanced optical components capable of super-resolution imaging.—
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The manufacturer recommends unplugging your rice cooker, removing the rice pot and wiping down all of the components with a damp rag and a mixture of vinegar and water.—
Noun
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Without certain elements, your home might feel anything less than cozy and inviting.—
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Inside the Speedster, drivers will find elements rarely seen in EVs, including a stick-style shifter.—
Cite this Entry
“Building blocks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/building%20blocks. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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