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

And because international agreements ban robots from entering the ship’s 3D superstructure, the jury’s still out about how the ship truly sank. —Sean Kingsley, HollywoodReporter, 11 Apr. 2025

This fully customizable electric catamaran has the shipyard’s signature solar panels integrated into the hull sides, superstructure and curved areas, covering around 738 square feet of surface area and generating up to 13kWp of energy. —Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 17 Mar. 2025

On 143rd Street, just east of Ridgeland Avenue, the bridge replacement will be done in three stages, including replacing the superstructure, roadway and landscaping. —Mike Nolan, Chicago Tribune, 6 Apr. 2025

Of course, the vessel isn’t limited to exploring the Mediterranean: The superyacht is designed for long-range cruising in comfort, thanks to its steel hull and aluminum superstructure. —Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 2 Apr. 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