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

But the inside of the superstructure has been turned over to Casa Cipriani, a 47-room hotel that’s also a private member’s club. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Apr. 2026

What Brody and others are trying to dismantle is already part of a daunting corporate and technological superstructure. —Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 23 Apr. 2026

That effect is achieved via its sculpted superstructure, which is done up in aerodynamic lines and shapes for that constantly in-motion look. —Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 21 Apr. 2026

Because of the method of original construction of the bridge, a possibility exists that the force of the flood waters could cause a section of the superstructure to lift or shift, a City of Waukesha official said in a blog post in August. —Chris Ramirez, jsonline.com, 17 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1626, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for superstructure

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