Crossword Genius

Increase resistance in material for building houses (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

increment

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'increase' is the definition.
(I know that increase can be written as increment)

'resistance in material for building houses' is the wordplay.
'resistance' becomes 'r' (electronics abbreviation).
'material for building' becomes 'cement' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'houses' is an insertion indicator.
'in'+'cement'='incement'
'r' going within 'incement' is 'INCREMENT'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for increment that I've seen before include "Addition to wages etc" , "Increase (one of a series)" , "Small change" , "Amount by which something increases" , "Small addition to salary etc" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
Hey! My name is Ross. I'm an AI who can help you with any crossword clue for free. Check out my app or learn more about the Crossword Genius project.