First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1structure
noun struc·ture \ˈstrək-chər\
: the way that something is built, arranged, or organized
: the way that a group of people are organized
: something (such as a house, tower, bridge, etc.) that is built by putting parts together and that usually stands on its own
Full Definition of STRUCTURE
1
: the action of building : construction
2
a : something (as a building) that is constructed b : something arranged in a definite pattern of organization <a rigid totalitarian structure — J. L. Hess> <leaves and other plant structures>
3
: manner of construction : makeup <Gothic in structure>
4
a : the arrangement of particles or parts in a substance or body <soil structure> <molecular structure> b : organization of parts as dominated by the general character of the whole <economic structure> <personality structure> c : coherent form or organization <tried to give some structure to the children's lives>
5
: the aggregate of elements of an entity in their relationships to each other <the structure of a language>
— struc·ture·less \-ləs\ adjective
— struc·ture·less·ness \-nəs\ noun
See structure defined for English-language learners
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Origin of STRUCTURE
Middle English, from Latin structura, from structus, past participle of struere to heap up, build — more at strew
2structure
transitive verb
: to arrange or organize (something) in a particular way
struc·turedstruc·tur·ing \ˈstrək-chə-riŋ, ˈstrək-shriŋ\
Full Definition of STRUCTURE
1
: to form into or according to a structure
2
First Known Use of STRUCTURE
circa 1693
STRUCTURE Defined for Kids
structure
noun struc·ture \ˈstrək-chər\
Definition of STRUCTURE for Kids
1
: something built or arranged in a definite way <He entered a small brick structure.> <We studied leaves and other plant structures.>
2
: the manner in which something is built, arranged, or organized <the structure of the body>
Word Root of STRUCTURE
The Latin word struere, meaning “to build,” and its form structus give us the root struct. Words from the Latin struere have something to do with building. A structure is something that was built, such as a house. To construct is to build by combining parts together. To obstruct is to build an obstacle that blocks a passage or path. Destruction is the process of taking apart something that was built.
Medical Dictionary
structure
noun struc·ture \ˈstrək-chər\
Medical Definition of STRUCTURE
1
: something (as an anatomical part) arranged in a definite pattern of organization
2
a : the arrangement of particles or parts in a substance or body <molecular structure> b : organization of parts as dominated by the general character of the whole <personality structure>
3
: the aggregate of elements of an entity in their relationships to each other
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