A
building or
edifice is a
structure with a
roof and
walls standing more or less permanently in one place, such as a
house or
factory. Buildings come in a variety of shapes, sizes and functions, and have been adapted throughout history for a wide number of factors, from
building materials available, to weather conditions, to land prices, ground conditions, specific uses and aesthetic reasons. To better understand the term
building compare the list of
nonbuilding structures.