structural

adjective

struc·​tur·​al ˈstrək-chə-rəl 

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

Carbon fiber frame weighs just six pounds The team’s main engineering achievement was reducing the drone’s structural weight while maintaining the strength needed to carry a heavy payload. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 30 Sep. 2026

This is why the service is offered at affordable prices to enable startups and growing businesses to benefit from the critical structural elements of a website, such as clear messaging, fast loading time and ease of customer lead generation. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026

Scenario planning, leading indicators and explicit operating metrics can help management determine whether the structural thesis is strengthening or weakening over time. — Erik Clarke, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026

No injuries were reported, and the fire did not cause any structural damage to the garage, but at least five cars were damaged. — Todd Feurer, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing structural

• structural formula
• structural gene
• structural isomer
• structural racism
• structural steel

Rhymes for structural

• infrastructural
• microstructural
• ultrastructural
• nonstructural

Kids Definition

structural

adjective

struc·​tur·​al ˈstrək-chə-rəl 

ˈstrək-shrəl

1

: of, relating to, or affecting structure

structural weaknesses

2

: used or formed for use in construction

structural steel

structurally

-ē

adverb

Medical Definition

structural

adjective

struc·​tur·​al ˈstrək-chə-rəl, ˈstrək-shrəl 

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

-ē 

adverb