building block
Essential structural element
A building block is a fundamental unit from which larger structures are assembled.
Children play with building blocks—stackable wooden or plastic pieces.
The term extends to any basic component: Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins.
In figurative use, building blocks are foundational elements of complex systems, skills, or ideas.
Element of a system
- elementBasic substance or factor
- unitIndividual part or measure
- pieceA portion or segment
- constituentMember of electoral district
ingredient · part · segment · module · essential · primary · basic · primitive
Element's smallest unit
- moleculeBonded atomic group
- cellBasic unit of life
- particleMinute piece of matter
- electronNegative subatomic particle
proton · neutron · nucleus · protein · amino acid · nucleotide · DNA · gene
Fired clay building unit
- beamStructural support member
- girderMain structural support beam
- joistHorizontal structural beam
- studUpright wall framing
masonry · mortar · concrete · lumber · timber · framing · cornerstone · keystone
Abstract mental construct
- skillAcquired ability through practice
- principleFundamental truth or standard
- lessonUnit of teaching
- foundationUnderlying support structure
prerequisite · basics · fundamentals · ABCs · literacy · numeracy · phonics · vocabulary
Interlocking toy brick system
- interlockingEngaging by overlap
- stackableCan be piled up
- interchangeableAble to replace another
- configurableAble to be adjusted
plug-and-play · kit · set · assembly · customizable · scalable · connector · linkable
component
Element of a system
constituent · ingredient · part · segment · module · essential · primary · basic · primitive · integral
atom
Element's smallest unit
electron · proton · neutron · nucleus · protein · amino acid · nucleotide · DNA · gene · chromosome
brick
Fired clay building unit
stud · masonry · mortar · concrete · lumber · timber · framing · cornerstone · keystone · pillar
concept
Abstract mental construct
foundation · prerequisite · basics · fundamentals · ABCs · literacy · numeracy · phonics · vocabulary · curriculum
Lego
Interlocking toy brick system
- interlockingEngaging by overlap
- stackableCan be piled up
- interchangeableAble to replace another
configurable · plug-and-play · kit · set · assembly · customizable · scalable · connector · linkable · reconfigurable
- blocksbrick, cube
- block types
- componentsparts, part, pieces, piece, elements
- wooden toysrocking horse, pull toy, push toy, stacking rings, stacking toy
- modular partsmodule, component, unit, part, piece
- retrosynthesisdisconnection, transform, fragmentation
building blockfinished product
Completed manufactured good
end product · final result · whole · final product · totality
building blockwrecking ball
Crane-swung demolition weight
destructive force · obstacle · impediment · hindrance · stumbling block
building blockfinishing touch
Final perfecting detail
capstone · ornament · embellishment · flourish · decoration
block, build, building, built, builder, rebuild, blockage, buildings, blocks