structure
/ˈstɹʌktʃə(ɹ)/
In a technical or architectural sense, the term refers to the physical framework that provides stability and support to a building or object. It emphasizes the tangible intersection of materials and the engineering logic required to keep a physical entity upright. In a conceptual or linguistic sense, it describes the invisible framework of a system, such as the grammar of a language or the hierarchy of a corporation. Here, the focus shifts from physical stability to logical organization and the systemic rules that govern how components interact.
💬Casual Conversation
I want to restructure the team structure to leverage our synergies.
Sounds like a lot of work. I'm just gonna coast until Friday.
Meanings
The arrangement of and relations between the parts or elements of something complex.
"The social structure of the tribe is based on kinship."
A building or other object constructed from several parts.
"The engineers are inspecting the steel structure of the bridge."
The way in which a piece of music, a poem, or a story is organized.
"The novel has a complex structure with multiple timelines."
The internal organization of a computer program or data set.
"The database structure allows for rapid querying of records."
To construct or arrange according to a particular plan.
"The lawyer helped her structure the agreement to avoid future disputes."
To give a particular organization to something.
"We need to structure the course so that the basics come first."
Examples
The social structure of the tribe is based on kinship.
The engineers are inspecting the steel structure of the bridge.
The novel has a complex structure with multiple timelines.
The database structure allows for rapid querying of records.
The lawyer helped her structure the agreement to avoid future disputes.
We need to structure the course so that the basics come first.
Collocations & Compounds
organizational structure
the way a company is managed
The organizational structure is too top-heavy.
social structure
the organized pattern of social relationships
Class divides often define the social structure.
molecular structure
the arrangement of atoms in a molecule
The molecular structure determines the chemical properties.
capital structure
the mix of debt and equity used to finance a company
The firm is revising its capital structure.
sentence structure
the grammatical arrangement of words
Proper sentence structure is vital for clarity.
Phrasal Verbs
structure around
organize based on
The course is structured around a series of case studies.
Idioms & Sayings
structure of the argument
the logical arrangement of a case or point of view
The structure of the argument was so sound that the jury reached a verdict quickly.
social structure
the organized pattern of social relationships and institutions
Sociologists study how the social structure of a city influences crime rates.
capital structure
the specific mix of debt and equity used to finance a company
The CFO is reviewing the capital structure to reduce interest payments.
structure of the mind
the theoretical organization of mental processes
Freud proposed a specific structure of the mind consisting of the id, ego, and superego.
structure of the language
the grammatical and syntactic rules of a tongue
Learning a new language requires understanding the underlying structure of the language.