structural

adjective

struc·​tur·​al ˈstrək-chə-rəl How to pronounce structural (audio)
ˈstrək-shrəl
1
: of or relating to the physical makeup of a plant or animal body
structural defects of the heart
2
a
: of, relating to, or affecting structure
structural stability
b
: used in building structures
structural clay
c
: involved in or caused by structure especially of the economy
structural unemployment
3
: of, relating to, or resulting from the effects of folding or faulting of the earth's crust : tectonic
4
: concerned with or relating to structure rather than history or comparison
structural linguistics
structurally adverb

Examples of structural in a Sentence

The house suffered no structural damage.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Officials have described the overhaul as a long-overdue restoration effort aimed at addressing decades of deferred maintenance, including deteriorating infrastructure, water damage, failing HVAC systems and structural concerns throughout the building. Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 28 May 2026 When pressed on the structural deficit, his answers were too vague for someone working at the highest levels of city leadership. Mercury News Editorial Board, Mercury News, 27 May 2026 By the time engineers realized the issue was a systemic structural fault across the entire fleet, the cargo ship was already halfway across the Atlantic, steaming toward Brazil. Andrew Rice, New York Times, 27 May 2026 Investigators say the damage was so severe that there are concerns about the home's structural integrity. Shelley Bortz, CBS News, 27 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for structural

Word History

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Time Traveler
The first known use of structural was in 1801

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Structural.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/structural. Accessed 29 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

structural

adjective
struc·​tur·​al ˈstrək-chə-rəl How to pronounce structural (audio)
ˈstrək-shrəl
1
: of, relating to, or affecting structure
structural weaknesses
2
: used or formed for use in construction
structural steel
structurally
adverb

Medical Definition

structural

adjective
1
: of or relating to the physical makeup of a plant or animal body
structural defects of the heart
compare functional sense 1a
2
: of, relating to, or affecting structure
structural stability
structurally adverb

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