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
J. L. Hessleaves 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
structured; structuring
ˈstrək-chə-riŋ
ˈstrək-shriŋ
Synonyms
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.
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Recent Examples on the WebOkla Jones, Essence, 14 Jan. 2024
There is no containment and no structures have burned.
—The Arizona Republic, 13 Jan. 2024
Parade attendees should plan to use the parking structures around campus, including those on Thompson, Maynard and Thayer streets and Forest Avenue, according to the university release.
—Detroit Free Press, 13 Jan. 2024
The landmark structure’s age has been showing for years.
—The San Diego Union-Tribune Staff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Jan. 2024
The listing notes that the guest structure could be set up as a home office.
—Degen Pener, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Jan. 2024
The researchers say these structures formed at least 15 distinct settlements, which were connected by a system of wide, straight roads.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Jan. 2024
The only structure on the lot is a low-slung cottage that was built in 1946 and spans less than 1,600 square feet of living space, with three bedrooms and two bathrooms.
—James McClain, Robb Report, 12 Jan. 2024
Phantom Ranch returned to its usual lottery structure after a different process last year.
—Michael Salerno, The Arizona Republic, 1 Jan. 2024
Jeff Stein, Washington Post, 12 Jan. 2024
It’s structured with a 3D footbox for more flexibility in sleeping positions, and rolls down to a reasonably compact size.
—Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 11 Jan. 2024
It is structured as a three-way production involving companies from Singapore, Japan and France and with financial support from authorities in Singapore.
—Patrick Frater, Variety, 10 Jan. 2024
Specific projects under the partnership have not yet been announced, but the pact is not exclusive or structured like a typical first-look deal.
—J. Clara Chan, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2024
The resolution passed without objection and was structured in such a way that no individual votes were recorded.
—The Arizona Republic, 9 Jan. 2024
That deal was structured to allow Work & Co. employees to retain majority ownership, the people said.
—Patrick Coffee, WSJ, 9 Jan. 2024
Chief among them is the decision to structure the study around the highest-grossing films of the year, which inevitably means leaving out movies released near the end of 2023 that didn’t have enough time to potentially accrue significant box office tallies.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 2 Jan. 2024
This is a key question for structuring a campaign against the sitting officeholder.
—David Mark, Washington Examiner, 28 Dec. 2023
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Noun
Well, the structure is the same, the stories are the same, but the people are different.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 14 Jan. 2024
There is no containment and no structures have burned.
—The Arizona Republic, 13 Jan. 2024
Parade attendees should plan to use the parking structures around campus, including those on Thompson, Maynard and Thayer streets and Forest Avenue, according to the university release.
—Detroit Free Press, 13 Jan. 2024
The landmark structure’s age has been showing for years.
—The San Diego Union-Tribune Staff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Jan. 2024
The listing notes that the guest structure could be set up as a home office.
—Degen Pener, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Jan. 2024
The researchers say these structures formed at least 15 distinct settlements, which were connected by a system of wide, straight roads.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Jan. 2024
The only structure on the lot is a low-slung cottage that was built in 1946 and spans less than 1,600 square feet of living space, with three bedrooms and two bathrooms.
—James McClain, Robb Report, 12 Jan. 2024
Phantom Ranch returned to its usual lottery structure after a different process last year.
—Michael Salerno, The Arizona Republic, 1 Jan. 2024
Verb
Norquist emphasized that Republicans in Congress structured much of the 2017 legislation, but that the corporate tax cut did reflect Trump’s imprint.
—Jeff Stein, Washington Post, 12 Jan. 2024
It’s structured with a 3D footbox for more flexibility in sleeping positions, and rolls down to a reasonably compact size.
—Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 11 Jan. 2024
It is structured as a three-way production involving companies from Singapore, Japan and France and with financial support from authorities in Singapore.
—Patrick Frater, Variety, 10 Jan. 2024
Specific projects under the partnership have not yet been announced, but the pact is not exclusive or structured like a typical first-look deal.
—J. Clara Chan, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2024
The resolution passed without objection and was structured in such a way that no individual votes were recorded.
—The Arizona Republic, 9 Jan. 2024
That deal was structured to allow Work & Co. employees to retain majority ownership, the people said.
—Patrick Coffee, WSJ, 9 Jan. 2024
Chief among them is the decision to structure the study around the highest-grossing films of the year, which inevitably means leaving out movies released near the end of 2023 that didn’t have enough time to potentially accrue significant box office tallies.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 2 Jan. 2024
This is a key question for structuring a campaign against the sitting officeholder.
—David Mark, Washington Examiner, 28 Dec. 2023
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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
Phrases Containing structure
Dictionary Entries Near structure
Cite this Entry
“Structure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/structure. Accessed 21 Jan. 2024.
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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
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
More from Merriam-Webster on structure
Nglish: Translation of structure for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of structure for Arabic Speakers
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