Definition of structurenext
1
as in building
something built as a dwelling, shelter, or place for human activity the only structure on the island is an old Spanish fort—or what's left of it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in construction
something put together by arranging or connecting an array of parts the Egyptian pyramids are among the most remarkable structures ever built

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in framework
the arrangement of parts that gives something its basic form the basic structure of all those tract houses is the same: basically, a box

Synonyms & Similar Words

structure

2 of 2

verb

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of structure
Noun
Life and social structures in remote river villages are rooted in summer fish camps, where the community catches, processes, and preserves the salmon that feeds them through the winter. — Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026 Composed of a structure of organic arms culminating in blown-glass light elements, the work explored glass as both a structural and expressive material. — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026
Verb
To capitalize on this elevated volatility while maintaining a bullish long-term stance, traders can structure a unique strategy that collects time decay to finance a directional bet. — Michael Khouw, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026 The company unveiled Shorts series, enabling creators to structure their Shorts into seasons and episodes, a structure that suits living room viewing. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for structure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for structure
Noun
  • As an open source scripting language for building dynamic websites and web apps, PHP has come to be a de facto building block for the Web.
    — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 21 Oct. 2026
  • In the Bucha district, one woman was killed and 21 people were wounded, eight of them children, while hundreds of buildings were damaged, according to police.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The construction worker faces additional charges in state court.
    — Aoife Walsh, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The ordinance permits Highfill to apply excess bond proceeds to retire debt early if construction costs come in below projections, and the city holds the option to call and prepay bonds without penalty starting June 1, 2033.
    — Randy Moll, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The parties agreed to a framework for an agreement in May that required everyone who filed a claim to sign off.
    — John Hanna, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Models reveal substantially higher PFAS estimates To investigate the missing concentrations, the researchers developed a statistical framework that accounts for results below laboratory reporting limits.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The process was particularly intricate, as each interlacing detail on the bodice had to be carefully constructed by weaving hundreds of meters of rouleau and while maintaining the tension and precision of the corsetry underneath.
    — Shelby Wax, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Knight said the First Baptist Church roots began in the mid-18th century, and the current building was constructed in 1846.
    — Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 22 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The winning architecture is a stack of narrow intelligences pointed at what each one is good at, coordinated through a harness that knows which one to use when.
    — Stephen Messer, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
  • With its combination of clean, minimalist design and travertine details that reference Roman architecture, the space aims to convey that dialogue between the brand and the city.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Fellow delivery workers built a memorial outside the grocery store, according to the station.
    — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • In order to be helpful, Muse constantly builds extensive dossiers of users and their desires, social relationships, and messaging behaviors, TIME’s Harry Booth reported this month.
    — Andrew R. Chow, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • America's ability to compete internationally, which has become a central argument for expanding AI infrastructure, ranks much lower.
    — Will Johnson, Time, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Generation and storage, grids, and digital infrastructure all depend on capital that can look beyond short-term market conditions.
    — H.E. Dr Abdulla Saif Al Jarwan, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • On Tuesday, Elon Musk, the CEO and largest shareholder of both companies, said the electric vehicle maker and the rocket company had formed special committees at the request of shareholders to discuss the idea.
    — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 21 Oct. 2026
  • By studying Mars' moons, scientists hope to learn whether Phobos and Deimos formed in the aftermath of an ancient collision between Mars and a battering space rock.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Structure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/structure. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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