structure

1 of 2

noun

struc·​ture ˈstrək-chər How to pronounce structure (audio)
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 structureJ. 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 adjective
structurelessness noun

structure

2 of 2

verb

structured; structuring ˈstrək-chə-riŋ How to pronounce structure (audio)
ˈstrək-shriŋ

transitive verb

1
: to form into or according to a structure
2

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
There are detailed galleries on his website documenting the builds of a number of structures, including Rapunzel’s tower and Beast’s castle. Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2024 Future bass also incorporates more traditional verse/chorus song structures than much of the wilder bass made by Illenium’s influences and peers — Zeds Dead, Excision, SLANDER, Dabin, Said the Sky, Space Laces — and his work also heavily integrates rock, metal, indie and pop sounds. Katie Bain, Billboard, 13 Mar. 2024 What’s more interesting to me are the structures in place for Middleton and her family to shape their public image and what happens when that all comes crashing down. Mia Sato, The Verge, 12 Mar. 2024 According to public records, the house, initially a 2-bedroom structure spanning 724-square feet, has now been expanded to 960-square feet and features three bedrooms. Brendel Hightower, Detroit Free Press, 12 Mar. 2024 Still, the disruptions of the pandemic have left the company with a higher cost structure than in the past. Christopher Rugaber, Quartz, 12 Mar. 2024 Banners and signs must be hand-held and may not obstruct the view of other guests, Footprint Center advertising signage or be temporarily or permanently affixed to the building structure. Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 12 Mar. 2024 The lack of a broader command structure capable of coordinating drone units across the frontline often translates to confusion among Ukrainian troops. Yurii Shyvala, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2024 These 27 bones give each hand its rigid, knuckled structure, while joined and surrounded with muscles, tendons, ligaments, blood vessels and nerves that connect with other elements of the body and carry out directions from the brain. Sabrina Sholts, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Mar. 2024
Verb
More recently, the company has argued in another New York case that the National Labor Relations Board itself is structured unconstitutionally, following legal arguments set forth by lawyers for SpaceX and Trader Joe’s. Caroline O'Donovan, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024 The season is structured as a build-up to a gig at Radio City Music Hall, booked by Wickie in a characteristic fit of overconfidence. Alison Herman, Variety, 14 Mar. 2024 Daily dosing also poses logistical hurdles that force patients to structure their lives around their clinics’ dosing hours. Lev Facher, STAT, 12 Mar. 2024 The play is structured unusually, where Tartuffe doesn’t make his first entrance until nearly an hour into the story. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2024 It was structured in the edit. ES: Because that’s how film works! Rachel Handler, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2024 For more than a quarter of a century, my days have been structured around the needs of others. Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2024 Offering the perfect blend between loose-fitting and structured, this pullover wraps you in instant warmth and even has a front pocket to keep your hands warm and your must-haves close. Kristine Solomon, Travel + Leisure, 26 Feb. 2024 The show was structured around a couple of Oliva’s costume changes and the occasional bit of stagecraft where an element of the stage would lift her up or lower her down below. Eric Fuller, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'structure.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of structure was in 1560

Dictionary Entries Near structure

Cite this Entry

“Structure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/structure. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

structure

1 of 2 noun
struc·​ture ˈstrək-chər How to pronounce structure (audio)
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 adjective

structure

2 of 2 verb
structured; structuring ˈstrək-chə-riŋ How to pronounce structure (audio)
ˈstrək-shriŋ
: to form into a structure : organize

Medical Definition

structure

noun
struc·​ture ˈstrək-chər How to pronounce structure (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on structure

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!