struc·ture
ˈstrək-chər 
1
: the action of building : construction
2
a
: something (such as a building) that is constructed
b
: something arranged in a definite pattern of organization
a rigid totalitarian structure—
J. L. Hess
J. L. Hessleaves 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
structured; structuring
ˈstrək-chə-riŋ
ˈstrək-shriŋ
Synonyms
Examples of structure in a Sentence
Noun
They studied the compound's molecular structure.
The film had a simple narrative structure.
the structure of a plant
the social structure of a college campus
changes to the company's power structure
The structure was damaged by fire.
Children need a lot of structure in their lives.
Verb
She structured the essay chronologically.
Recent Examples on the Web
Bay Area News Group, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024
To spend that amount of time with Shakespeare gives you a sense of rhythm and structure that is invaluable.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024
Quartz Bot, Quartz, 7 Nov. 2024
French outlet La Lettre A reported that Netflix’s French operation was structured until 2021 so that all subscribers signed up with a Dutch subsidiary.
—Chris Morris, Fortune Europe, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for structure 
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Noun
Teams were in the field to assess houses and other structures that have been destroyed or damaged.
—Bay Area News Group, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024
To spend that amount of time with Shakespeare gives you a sense of rhythm and structure that is invaluable.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024
Verb
The company continues to focus on originating, structuring, and investing in first-lien mortgage loans, mezzanine loans, preferred equity, and other real estate investments.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 7 Nov. 2024
French outlet La Lettre A reported that Netflix’s French operation was structured until 2021 so that all subscribers signed up with a Dutch subsidiary.
—Chris Morris, Fortune Europe, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for structure
Dictionary Entries Near structure
Cite this Entry
“Structure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/structure. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
structure
1 of 2 noun
struc·ture
ˈstrək-chər
1
: the action of building : construction
2
: something constructed or arranged in a definite pattern of organization
3
: manner of construction : the arrangement or relationship of elements (as particles, parts, or organs) in a substance, body, or system
soil structure
the structure of a plant
molecular structure
social structure
the structure of a language
structure
2 of 2 verb
structured; structuring
ˈstrək-chə-riŋ
ˈstrək-shriŋ
: to form into a structure : organize
Medical Definition
structure
noun
struc·ture
ˈstrək-chər
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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