world-building
noun
world-build·ing
ˈwərl(d)-ˈbil-diŋ 
variants
or less commonly world building
or worldbuilding
: the creation of a fictional world (especially within the science fiction and fantasy genres) that is believable and consistent within the context of the story
The game pushes the limits of the PS4 graphically and packs so much mythos and backstory into its world-building that at times it feels more like a novel than a video game.—
Patrick Shanley
Patrick ShanleyIn my opinion, no one does world-building as well as Kate Elliott. It's subtle … but the world, culture, and societies she creates feel solid. If you think about them when you close the book, you can see how they could work; how the economics could work, how the governing could work, how the cultures formed.—Michelle West
Michelle WestIn postapocalyptic stories, world building typically emphasizes the new reality: new vocabulary to learn, new systems of government to understand, new social norms to parse.—Shirley Li
Shirley LiIt sounds like a lot to take in, but "The Sandman" neatly avoids many genre show pitfalls. While at times its premise and worldbuilding do feel a bit murky, for the most part, it's even less confusing for a layman to get into than other sprawling similar shows such as "Westworld" or "The Witcher."—Lauren Sarner
Lauren SarnerExamples of world-building in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
As it’s become part of the Foundation formula, part of how the script achieves this is by balancing the heavy-handed world-building with both levity and grand spectacle.
—Rafael Motamayor, Vulture, 11 July 2025
His lifelong dedication to visual storytelling and world-building resonates deeply with us and our community, and the museum’s mission to celebrate narrative art in all its forms perfectly reflects what Comic-Con has championed from the very beginning.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 11 July 2025
The level of world-building that Mowalola has executed in recent years isn’t just admirable.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 8 July 2025
This is world-building at a scale previously unthinkable, turning thousands of data points into an authentic, explorable universe for visitors of the sunshine state.
5.
—Kristen M. O’Hara, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for world-building
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Rafael Motamayor, Vulture, 11 July 2025
His lifelong dedication to visual storytelling and world-building resonates deeply with us and our community, and the museum’s mission to celebrate narrative art in all its forms perfectly reflects what Comic-Con has championed from the very beginning.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 11 July 2025
The level of world-building that Mowalola has executed in recent years isn’t just admirable.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 8 July 2025
This is world-building at a scale previously unthinkable, turning thousands of data points into an authentic, explorable universe for visitors of the sunshine state.
5.
—Kristen M. O’Hara, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for world-building
Cite this Entry
“World-building.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/world-building. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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