structure

1 of 2

noun

struc·​ture ˈstrək-chər 

1

: the action of building : construction

2

a

: something (such as a building) that is constructed

b

: something arranged in a definite pattern of organization

a rigid totalitarian structure

—J. L. Hess

leaves and other plant structures

3

: manner of construction : makeup

Gothic in structure

4

a

: the arrangement of particles or parts in a substance or body

soil structure

molecular structure

b

: organization of parts as dominated by the general character of the whole

economic structure

personality structure

c

: coherent form or organization

tried to give some structure to the children's lives

5

: the aggregate of elements of an entity in their relationships to each other

the structure of a language

structureless

ˈstrək-chər-ləs 

adjective

structurelessness

ˈstrək-chər-ləs-nəs 

noun

structure

2 of 2

verb

structured; structuring ˈstrək-chə-riŋ 

ˈstrək-shriŋ

transitive verb

1

: to form into or according to a structure

2

: construct

Synonyms

Noun

• building
• edifice

Examples of structure in a Sentence

Noun

They studied the compound's molecular structure.

The film had a simple narrative structure.

the structure of a plant

the social structure of a college campus

changes to the company's power structure

The structure was damaged by fire.

Children need a lot of structure in their lives.

Verb

She structured the essay chronologically.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The couple planted white climbing roses that will eventually train up the structure. —Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Oct. 2024

Eric Pacifici, the founder of SMB Law Group—which has advised on more than $1 billion in small business deals since its founding in 2022—points out the odd incentive structure created by the rule. —Brandon Kochkodin, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024

Verb

If the shirt isn’t structured to be oversized, then try to go a size larger and visit a tailor to get the proportions just right. —Brett F. Braley-Palko, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024

And that was really potent for me as a [way] of thinking about the mundane and how much of our lives are structured around it. —Dean Baquet, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Latin structura, from structus, past participle of struere to heap up, build — more at strew

First Known Use

Noun

1560, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Verb

1664, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing structure

• crumb structure
• data structure
• deep structure
• fine structure
• play structure
• power structure
• pre-structure
• surface structure

Kids Definition

structure

1 of 2 noun

struc·​ture ˈstrək-chər 

1

: the action of building : construction

2

: something constructed or arranged in a definite pattern of organization

3

: manner of construction : the arrangement or relationship of elements (as particles, parts, or organs) in a substance, body, or system

soil structure

the structure of a plant

molecular structure

social structure

the structure of a language

structureless

-ləs 

adjective

structure

2 of 2 verb

structured; structuring ˈstrək-chə-riŋ 

ˈstrək-shriŋ

: to form into a structure : organize

Medical Definition

structure

noun

struc·​ture ˈstrək-chər 

1

: something (as an anatomical part) arranged in a definite pattern of organization

2

a

: the arrangement of particles or parts in a substance or body

molecular structure

b

: organization of parts as dominated by the general character of the whole

personality structure

3

: the aggregate of elements of an entity in their relationships to each other