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

As the sun sets on century-old structures and the dirt gives way to bulldozers for a multimillion-dollar rebuild, Pimlico Race Course hosted an exciting 150th Preakness Stakes on Saturday. —Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 18 May 2025

Consider dual-class share structures whereby founders shield themselves from responsibility regardless of the performance of the company. —Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025

Verb

To become a private equity professional, a bachelor’s degree in finance or business, followed by an MBA, plus analytical skills, deal structuring, and having strong negotiation skills are important. —Jack Kelly, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025

The collectibles capital-gains tax rate only applies to ETFs structured as trusts. —Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 1 May 2025

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

Rhymes for structure

• infrastructure
• macrostructure
• microstructure
• nanostructure
• superstructure
• ultrastructure
• restructure
• substructure

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