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

Spanning automotive, steel, and agriculture, as well as government procurement, market access, and the future architecture of North American trade rules, the confrontation is now touching the deepest foundations of their economic relationship. — CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026

That architecture gives the missile another layer of control over its propulsion profile. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026

Often referred to as the Nobel Prize of the Arts, the Praemium Imperiale recognizes exemplary achievements by artists around the world working in painting, sculpture, architecture, music, and theater and film. — News Desk, Artforum, 8 Sep. 2026

That puts the network front and center, and it must be engineered as a first-class part of the architecture, rather than ordered last. — Ido Susan, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 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