superstructure

noun

su·​per·​struc·​ture ˈsü-pər-ˌstrək-chər 

1

a

: an entity, concept, or complex based on a more fundamental one

b

: social institutions (such as the law or politics) that are in Marxist theory erected upon the economic base

2

: a structure built as a vertical extension of something else: such as

a

: all of a building above the basement

b

: the structural part of a ship above the main deck

superstructural

ˌsü-pər-ˈstrək-chə-rəl 

-ˈstrək-shrəl

adjective

Examples of superstructure in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The overall condition of every bridge is rated based on the lowest score given to any one of its three components: the deck, or surface, of the bridge, the superstructure that supports the deck and the substructure that supports the entire structure. —Anna Kleiber, jsonline.com, 25 Sep. 2025

Delivered in 2022, this 255-foot-long yacht features a steel hull and aluminum superstructure and is offered by Fraser and Burgess. —Bill Springer, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025

Construction for the store began in early April, transforming the gray brick building into a red superstructure. —Denni Hu, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2025

Designed by Reymond Langton, the 147-footer features a navy blue hull and a white superstructure that together create a striking contrast on the seas. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 10 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1626, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for superstructure

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