noun
Common
infrastructure
IHNF-ruh-struhkt-shuh
Infrastructure (noun) means the basic physical systems — roads, power, water, networks — that a place or organization needs to function. Example: “The city invested heavily in transport infrastructure.”
noun
1
The basic physical systems — roads, power, water, networks — that a place or organization needs to function.
"The city invested heavily in transport infrastructure."
"Poor internet infrastructure slowed the whole region down."
"The old village lacks the infrastructure for fast broadband and reliable buses."
How to use infrastructure
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe underlying systems and facilities that keep everything else running.
Common pairings
public infrastructure
infrastructure spending
digital infrastructure
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Word forms
- Plural
- infrastructures
Fill the gap
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The city invested heavily in transport _____.
Etymology
Borrowed from French infrastructure, from "infra-" ("below") + "structure."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for infrastructure
See all rhymes for infrastructure →Frequently asked questions
What does “infrastructure” mean?
The word “infrastructure” means the basic physical systems — roads, power, water, networks — that a place or organization needs to function. In plain terms, the underlying systems and facilities that keep everything else running.
How do you pronounce “infrastructure”?
“Infrastructure” is pronounced IHNF-ruh-struhkt-shuh (/ˈɪnfɹəˌstɹʌkt͡ʃɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “infrastructure” in a sentence?
Here is “infrastructure” used in a sentence: “The city invested heavily in transport infrastructure.”
What part of speech is “infrastructure”?
“Infrastructure” is a noun.
Where does the word “infrastructure” come from?
The word “infrastructure” comes from French. Borrowed from French infrastructure, from "infra-" ("below") + "structure.".
Is “infrastructure” a common word?
“Infrastructure” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What are the types of infrastructure?
Infrastructure is often split into hard and soft. Hard infrastructure means the physical networks a place relies on: roads, railways, bridges, power grids, water supply, and telecommunications. Soft infrastructure refers to the institutions that keep society running, such as schools, hospitals, and emergency services. Digital or IT infrastructure is a growing category too.
What is an example of infrastructure?
Everyday examples include the road and motorway network, the electricity grid, water and sewage pipes, mobile and broadband networks, airports, and public transport systems. Within a company, infrastructure might mean its servers, data centres, and internal networks, the underlying systems everything else depends on to work.
Why is infrastructure important?
Infrastructure is the foundation that lets an economy and a society function. Without reliable roads, power, water, and communications, businesses cannot trade, people cannot travel or work, and basic services break down. Good infrastructure supports growth, safety, and quality of life, which is why governments invest heavily in it.
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