structure
/ˈstrʌktʃə
/noun
1The arrangement of and relations between the parts or elements of something complex: the two sentences have equivalent structures the company’s weakness is the inflexibility of its management structure...
- That arrangement completed the administrative structure of the Coast Guard as it exists today.
- It is known that any complex system has a certain structure with its intrinsic elements and interconnections.
- Since time and matter are limited, the resources to solve a problem or to build a complex structure are also limited.
Synonyms
construction, form, formation, shape, composition, fabric, anatomy, make-up, constitution;
organization, system, arrangement, layout, design, frame, framework, configuration, conformation, pattern, plan, mould
informal set-up
1.1 [mass noun] The quality of being organized: we shall use three headings to give some structure to the discussion...
- At first sight it looked appalling, but I could see it had sound structure, fantastic quality of light and great potential.
- Anthony has brought a bit of structure and organisation and a bit of discipline to training.
- These are the kind of plants that give structure to a border and which will improve over the years.
2A building or other object constructed from several parts: the station is a magnificent structure and should not be demolished...
- I was awed by the amount of labor that went into building such a magnificent structure.
- He enjoyed a reputation for building tall elegant masonry structures such as church towers and spires.
- Storing them on high buildings rather than scaffold structures to reduce visibility is also advised.
Synonyms
building, edifice, construction, erection, pile, complex, assembly
verb [with object]
Construct or arrange according to a plan; give a pattern or organization to: services must be structured so as to avoid pitfalls...
- We work in routine service industry jobs structured by low pay with shift patterns dictated by childcare.
- The play is a syllogism, and, to function perfectly, it must be structured perfectly.
- Finally I was going to tell him, after a whole day of structuring my speech together, I was going to tell it to his face.
Synonyms
arrange, organize, order, design, shape, give structure to, assemble, construct, build, put together
Derivatives
structureless
- The inkblots are purportedly ambiguous, structureless entities which are to be given a clear structure by the interpreter.
- There is fleeting footage of everyone from Nick Cave to New Order, but one critic dismissed it as a structureless muddle.
- These discontinuous beds are plane-bedded, structureless to finely laminated, and in some cases have small-scale cross bedding.
Origin
Late Middle English (denoting the process of building): from Old French, or from Latin structura, from struere 'to build'. The verb is rarely found before the 20th century.