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 yacht is intended to be built with a steel hull and aluminum superstructure, rendering it both strong and relatively lightweight. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 6 Aug. 2026

Replacement of the bridge superstructure on a Connecticut highway is soon to bring lane closures, lane shifts, lane realignments and other traffic pattern modifications, according to the Connecticut Department of Transportation. — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 5 Aug. 2026

The solution was to take existing unarmored commercial cargo ships and tankers, adding a wooden flight deck, small island superstructures, and enough hangar space and support systems to handle up to 30 aircraft. — David Szondy july 21, New Atlas, 22 July 2026

The bridge superstructure is missing entirely, although the aluminum bridge is still attached. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 10 July 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