architecture

noun

ar·​chi·​tec·​ture ˈär-kə-ˌtek-chər 

1

: the art or science of building

specifically : the art or practice of designing and building structures and especially habitable ones

2

a

: formation or construction resulting from or as if from a conscious act

the architecture of the garden

b

: a unifying or coherent form or structure

a novel that lacks architecture

3

: architectural product or work

buildings that comprise the architecture of the square

4

: a method or style of building

Gothic architecture

5

: the manner in which the components of a computer or computer system are organized and integrated

different program architectures

Synonyms of architecture

• structure
• framework
• infrastructure

Examples of architecture in a Sentence

In college, he studied architecture.

The architecture of the building is modern.

Recent Examples on the Web

But a century later, much of the city’s original architecture is being flattened in favor of high-rises and white boxes. — Delia Rose Sauer, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026

The first is Prairie-style architecture, which was inspired by the flatlands of the American Midwest, where Wright was born and raised. — Elizabeth Fazzare, Architectural Digest, 14 July 2026

The collection is inspired by Brinkley’s love of architecture, gardening, the sea, and her home, Tower Hill, in the Hamptons. — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 14 July 2026

The L3Harris satellites would support the tracking portion of this broader architecture by providing data on advanced missile threats from orbit. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 14 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

see architect

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing architecture

• Norman architecture

Rhymes for architecture

• conjecture
• prefecture
• lecture

Kids Definition

architecture

noun

ar·​chi·​tec·​ture ˈär-kə-ˌtek-chər 

1

: the art or science of designing and building structures and especially ones that can be lived in

2

: architectural product or work

3

: a method or style of building

architectural

ˌär-kə-ˈtek-chə-rəl, 

-ˈtek-shrəl

adjective

architecturally

-ē

adverb

Medical Definition

architecture

noun

ar·​chi·​tec·​ture ˈär-kə-ˌtek-chər 

: the basic structural form especially of a bodily part or of a large molecule

the architecture and function of the cerebral cortex

the complex molecular architecture of muscle cells

—Carolyn Cohen

architectural

ˌär-kə-ˈtek-chə-rəl, -ˈtek-shrəl 

adjective

architecturally

-ē 

adverb