surface structure

noun

: a formal representation of the phonetic form of a sentence

also : the structure which such a representation describes

Word History

First Known Use

1964, in the meaning defined above

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The first known use of surface structure was in 1964

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“Surface structure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surface%20structure. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.

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surface structure

noun

Word History

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