1
a
: forming an integral part of a structure or object
a camera with a built-in flash
especially
: constructed as or in a recess in a wall
a built-in bookshelf
b
: built into the ground
a built-in swimming pool
2
a
: inherent
a built-in advantage
b
: already established
Their best-seller status gave them a built-in audience.
Examples of built-in in a Sentence
Adjective
a poker player with a seemingly built-in ability to read his opponents' faces
Recent Examples on the Web
Hugh Leask, CNBC, 22 Apr. 2026
While much of the camper electrical equipment relies on the PV5's 71-kWh EV battery or built-in shore power hookup, Sussex also squeezes an LFP leisure battery under the hood for powering all the 12-V equipment, such as interior lights.
—New Atlas, 16 Apr. 2026
Spill Cleanup Winner: Shark (Barely) Photograph: Nena Farrell Both of these vacuums promise built-in AI to find spots on your floor and know to scrub them away.
—Nena Farrell, Wired News, 16 Apr. 2026
How to protect retirement income from debt collectors While there are built-in protections, retirees should still take proactive steps to safeguard their income, especially when there are multiple debt obligations or aggressive collection efforts at play.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for built-in
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
That will leave elevated costs effectively built-in for months ahead, Hewson explained, adding that the key unknown now is fuel availability and how competition for supply could unfold.
—Hugh Leask, CNBC, 22 Apr. 2026
While much of the camper electrical equipment relies on the PV5's 71-kWh EV battery or built-in shore power hookup, Sussex also squeezes an LFP leisure battery under the hood for powering all the 12-V equipment, such as interior lights.
—New Atlas, 16 Apr. 2026
Spill Cleanup Winner: Shark (Barely) Photograph: Nena Farrell Both of these vacuums promise built-in AI to find spots on your floor and know to scrub them away.
—Nena Farrell, Wired News, 16 Apr. 2026
How to protect retirement income from debt collectors While there are built-in protections, retirees should still take proactive steps to safeguard their income, especially when there are multiple debt obligations or aggressive collection efforts at play.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for built-in
Cite this Entry
“Built-in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/built-in. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
