structure
STRUHK-shuh
Structure (noun) means a building or other physical construction made of connected parts. Example: “The bridge is an impressive structure made of steel and stone.”
noun
1
A building or other physical construction made of connected parts.
"The bridge is an impressive structure made of steel and stone."
"The old barn was a wooden structure held up by thick beams."
"Engineers inspected the structure after the earthquake."
2
The way in which the parts of something are organized or arranged.
"Scientists studied the structure of the crystal under a powerful microscope."
"The structure of the novel alternates between two timelines."
"A company’s management structure shapes how decisions get made."
verb
1
To arrange or organize something according to a plan.
"Try to structure your essay so each paragraph covers one clear idea."
"She structured her presentation around three main arguments."
"The course is structured to build skills week by week."
How to use structure
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a built thing (like a building) or the way something is organized and put together.
Common pairings
organizational structure
sentence structure
structure a deal
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Word forms
- Plural
- structures
- Third person singular
- structures
- Past tense
- structured
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The bridge is an impressive _____ made of steel and stone.
Etymology
From Middle French structure, from Latin structura ("a building" or "a fitting together"), from struere ("to pile up, build") — the same root behind construct and instruct.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for structure
See all rhymes for structure →Frequently asked questions
What does “structure” mean?
The word “structure” means a building or other physical construction made of connected parts. In plain terms, either a built thing (like a building) or the way something is organized and put together.
How do you pronounce “structure”?
“Structure” is pronounced STRUHK-shuh (/ˈstɹʌkt͡ʃɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “structure” in a sentence?
Here is “structure” used in a sentence: “The old barn was a wooden structure held up by thick beams.”
What part of speech is “structure”?
Depending on how it is used, “structure” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “structure” come from?
The word “structure” comes from Latin. From Middle French structure, from Latin structura ("a building" or "a fitting together"), from struere ("to pile up, build") — the same root behind construct and instruct.
Is “structure” a common word?
“Structure” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “structure” have?
“Structure” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a building or other physical construction made of connected parts.
What is the difference between a structure and a building?
A building is a structure with walls and a roof, made for people to live or work in. A structure is any construction assembled from connected parts, so it also covers bridges, towers, dams, and tunnels. Every building is a structure, but many structures are not buildings because nothing inside them is meant to be occupied.
What are the types of structures?
Physical structures include buildings such as houses and offices, plus bridges, towers, tunnels, dams, and stadiums. Engineers often group them by how they carry loads — for example frames, shells, or suspension structures. The common thread is a set of connected parts arranged to stay stable and support weight.
What is an example of a structure?
A bridge is a clear example: it is built from connected beams, cables, and supports working together to span a gap. Other everyday examples include a skyscraper, a wind turbine, a pier, and a roof truss. Anything constructed from parts joined to stand firm and bear a load counts as a structure.
Does 'structure' have another meaning?
Yes. Besides a physical construction, structure means the way parts are arranged or organised into a whole. We speak of the structure of a sentence, a company, a molecule, or an argument. In every case the idea is the same: an underlying framework that holds the separate elements together in a definite order.
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