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

The discount indicates investor apprehension regarding BP’s evolving strategy, declining earnings, and structural obstacles. —Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025

Best for: Straight, wavy, curly, coiled, and chemically treated hair in need of structural repair, split-end protection, and cuticle sealing. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 26 June 2025

The collapse could have been triggered by failure of a slab-column connection in the pool deck, where the structural design did not meet building code standards. —Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 24 June 2025

In one study, pineapple reduced structural changes in the aortas of rats who ate a high-cholesterol diet for eight weeks. —Brittany Lubeck, Verywell Health, 24 June 2025

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