structure
Pluralstructures
Verbstructures, structuring, structured
Pluralstructures
Formsstructures, structuring, structured
- 1The way the parts of something are put together or arranged.
Like the skeleton inside your body that holds everything in place.
The story has a clear structure, with a beginning, a middle, and an end.
We changed the structure of the team so each person reports to one leader.
Similarformation, order, organization
Oppositechaos, disorder, disorganization
- 2Something whole that is made of many parts joined together.
The bridge is a huge steel structure that crosses the whole river.
Bees build amazing structures out of wax.
Note
- 3To organize something so that its parts fit together in a clear order.
Teachers structure the school day so kids know what comes next.
She structured her speech around three main ideas.
UsageOften structure something around an idea.
Similarorganize, arrange, design, shape, plan
Oppositedisorganize, disarrange
- 4In computers, a group of pieces of information that the program keeps and uses together.
Like a box with labeled sections, where each section holds one piece of information.
The program saves each player's name and score together in one structure.
Each structure in the file holds a date, a place, and a price.
Similarrecord
Note
Less common meanings
- 5A set of rules that tells people how to act.
Like the rules of a board game that tell everyone what they can and cannot do.
Kids often do better with structure at home, like set bedtimes and chores.
The coach gives the team structure with clear rules about practice and rest.
UsageUsually no a: children need structure.
Similardiscipline, framework, regimen
- 6A group, like a political party, that works together for a shared goal.
The workers formed a new structure to speak for them with the bosses.
Local party structures met to choose candidates for the election.
UsageOften plural: party structures are a party's groups and committees.
Similarorganization, body, group, association, institution
Note
- 7Things underwater, like sunken trees or rocks, where fish like to gather.
- 8In math, a collection of things plus the ways they can be combined or compared.
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origin
It comes from Latin structura, from a word meaning to pile up, arrange, and build.
Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 2 facts
- English structure derives from Latin structura. en.wiktionary.org
- Latin structura derives from a verb meaning to pile up, arrange, and build. en.wiktionary.org