nonstructural

adjective

non·​struc·​tur·​al ˌnän-ˈstrək-chə-rəl How to pronounce nonstructural (audio)
-ˈstrək-shrəl
1
: not part of a structure : not relating to, affecting, or contributing to the structure of something
free-standing panels and other nonstructural elements
nonstructural movable parts
2
of a viral protein : expressed in an infected cell but not incorporated into the virion particle
nonstructural proteins

Examples of nonstructural in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Uniqlo plans to construct new nonstructural walls, lighting and restrooms. — Alexis Simmerman, Austin American-Statesman, 13 Feb. 2024 Sublime’s formula was recently used in a nonstructural part of the ground floor in a building in Boston. — Cameron Pugh, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 Mar. 2024 The permits are for electrical work, a dock automation system and other nonstructural improvements. — Arkansas Online, 7 Nov. 2025 The mayor’s hiring freeze — expected to generate $50 million — is also nonstructural. — Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026 Most of the building damage from Friday’s quake was nonstructural, hitting partition walls, fixtures, electricity and plumbing, Alam said. — Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of nonstructural was in 1879

Rhymes for nonstructural

See All Rhymes for nonstructural

Browse Nearby Words

nonstriker
nonstructural
nonstructured
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nonstructural.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonstructural. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of tacit

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All