noun / verb
structure
STRUK-cher/ˈstrʌktʃər/
An organized arrangement of connected parts.
The roof's structure connects rafters, braces, and beams into a triangular framework.
Etymology
Latin structura covered both physical building and figurative arrangement. The selected sense retains the idea of fitting things together, focusing on how the parts relate within a whole.
In context
Dr Valentine published his findings describing the bimin road as a structure consisting of large flat rectangular Stones Some measuring up to 4 m in length the stones were arranged in a linear fashion forming a path
More examples
- The company's structure places each team under one manager.
- Steel beams support the roof of the structure.
- We structure each lesson around a practical problem.
Forms
structure · structures · structured · structuring
structural adjective — Relating to how parts form a whole.
Similar words
- arrangement
- Emphasizes how parts are placed rather than their connections.
- framework
- Emphasizes the supporting outline rather than the complete whole.
- organize
- As a verb, emphasizes putting things into useful order.