building block
noun
: a unit of construction or composition
especially
: something essential on which a larger entity is based
Examples of building block in a Sentence
historically the infantry division has been a basic building block of armies
Recent Examples on the Web
Serine functions as a building block for proteins, is involved in cell proliferation, and various metabolic pathways.
—
New Atlas, 19 July 2025
These celestial objects that come to Earth are remnants of the building blocks of the planets, and scientists have learned a lot from studying them.
—Rudy Molinek, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 July 2025
Tryptophan Turns Into Hormones That Help Sleep Bananas contain tryptophan, which is an amino acid (a building block of protein) that your brain used to produce the hormones serotonin and melatonin:12
Serotonin is a hormone that helps with relaxation and regulating sleep.
—Julie Scott, Verywell Health, 18 July 2025
Both extremes grow from the same microscopic building blocks: hyphae – hair-thin tubes made mostly of the natural polymer chitin, a tough compound also found in crab shells.
—Mohamed Khalil Elhachimi, The Conversation, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for building block
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New Atlas, 19 July 2025
These celestial objects that come to Earth are remnants of the building blocks of the planets, and scientists have learned a lot from studying them.
—Rudy Molinek, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 July 2025
Tryptophan Turns Into Hormones That Help Sleep Bananas contain tryptophan, which is an amino acid (a building block of protein) that your brain used to produce the hormones serotonin and melatonin:12
Serotonin is a hormone that helps with relaxation and regulating sleep.
—Julie Scott, Verywell Health, 18 July 2025
Both extremes grow from the same microscopic building blocks: hyphae – hair-thin tubes made mostly of the natural polymer chitin, a tough compound also found in crab shells.
—Mohamed Khalil Elhachimi, The Conversation, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for building block
Cite this Entry
“Building block.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/building%20block. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.
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