superstructure

noun su·per·struc·ture \ ˈsü-pər-ˌstrək-chər \

|Updated on: 15 Aug 2018

Definition of superstructure

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

play \ˌsü-pər-ˈstrək-chə-rəl, -ˈstrək-shrəl\ adjective

See superstructure defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of superstructure from the Web

In the Google Maps satellite photos, the two ships side by side in the shipyard—the two Type 055s—appear still under construction with various parts of the superstructure missing.

— kyle mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "This Is What a Real Naval Buildup Looks Like," 5 June 2018
The metal superstructure of the plant is about ten stories tall, and there are dozens of men hanging off of every level, welding.

— michael j. mooney, Popular Mechanics, "Inside the Koch Brothers' Industrial Empire," 9 Oct. 2015
Her superstructure was stripped and a 550-foot wooden flight deck fitted.

— matthew moss, Popular Mechanics, "How the American Aircraft Carrier Became King of the Seas," 22 May 2018
Its bones, the superstructure, are solid enough, and carrying on, in British fashion, even if its dermis of Yorkshire limestone is spotty.

— karla adam, Washington Post, "Westminster is rotting from within," 25 Apr. 2018
Yet analysts say even the better-performing units suffer under a heavy superstructure.

— The Economist, "Activist investors go after a German industrial icon," 31 May 2018
Plaster was slathered over cloth on a Lego superstructure, then brought to the museum in sections and replastered and decorated in place.

— christopher knight, latimes.com, "Lauren Halsey takes a fantastic voyage in MOCA's 'we still here, there'," 24 May 2018
The four-alarm fire swept through the historic church at 1046 N. 9th St. — one of the oldest in Milwaukee and the local Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod — on Tuesday afternoon, causing significant damage to its superstructure and interior.

— mike johnson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Trinity church to hold service Sunday at MATC in wake of fire," 18 May 2018
Although the initial project focused on the aluminum superstructure of a different class of ship, a 2016 report from the Navy Metalworking Center estimated that use of the process also could benefit Austal's LCS.

— lawrence specker, AL.com, "Austal acquires ElectraWatch, firm with metal expertise," 2 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'superstructure.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.