building block
noun1
Literally A component that is part of a larger construction, such as a brick or a stone.
2
Literally A block made of wood or plastic that is used as a children's toy and can be stacked or joined to form a larger structure.
3
Figuratively A component that is an essential part of a larger system.
- Words are the building blocks of a language.
- Cells are the building blocks of life.
1 more example
- If you thought leveraged debt was bad when the Glazers did it with Manchester United, it’s possible you’ll find it even worse when water firms are holding you to a 40% bill hike if you simply want one of the essential building blocks of human life to come out of your tap.2023 June 30, Marina Hyde, “The tide is coming in fast on Rishi Sunak – and it’s full of sewage”, in The Guardian:
- Related terms
- stepping stone, stumbling block