structural
- 1Having to do with how something is built or put together.
Like comparing how two houses are built, not what color they are painted.
The two languages share deep structural similarities.
We made several structural changes to the company this year.
Similarorganizational, systemic, formal, compositional
Oppositecosmetic, superficial
Note
- 2Having to do with how a building is made and what holds it up.
Like the difference between a house's frame and the paint on its walls.
The old bridge had serious structural problems.
Engineers checked the school for structural damage after the earthquake.
Similarconstructional, architectural
Oppositecosmetic, decorative
- 3A strong kind of steel used to build the frames of large buildings and bridges.
Like the strong metal bones that hold up a tall building.
The builders ordered more structural for the second floor.
They lifted the heavy structural into place with a crane.
Similarsteelwork
Note
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Origin
Made from the word "structure" plus "-al." It began in the 19th century.