structure

structure — noun

1. the way separate pieces are linked together to create a single organised unit th

1.nounB1
Definition

the way separate pieces are linked together to create a single organised unit that works as a whole.

Example

Saira drew a diagram showing the management structure of the company.

collocation: management structure / company structure

The structure of a language includes its grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation.

collocation: structure of [something]

Common collocations
  • market structure
  • power structure
  • family structure
  • company structure
  • social structure
  • political structure
  • economic structure
Synonyms
  • organization

    focuses more on the process of arranging than on the resulting pattern

  • framework

    emphasises the basic supporting system, often used for plans or systems

  • composition

    more formal, emphasises what something is made of and how elements combine

Antonyms
  • disorder

    complete lack of structure

  • chaos

    state of complete confusion with no recognisable structure

Common Mistakes

The arrangement of the essay was well-organized.
The structure of the essay was well-organized.
'structure' refers to how parts fit together as a system; 'arrangement' is a more general word for order or placement.

2. a large thing that people have constructed by joining materials, such as a house

2.nounA2
Definition

a large thing that people have constructed by joining materials, such as a house, a tower, or a bridge.

Example

The old stone structure near the river was built over two hundred years ago.

collocation: stone / wooden / concrete structure

Gabriela visited several historic structures during her trip to Rome.

collocation: historic / modern / temporary structure

Common collocations
  • concrete structure
  • steel structure
  • historic structure
  • wooden structure
  • temporary structure
  • parking structure
Synonyms
  • building

    the everyday word; 'structure' is slightly more formal

  • construction

    emphasises the process or type of building, often used in technical or engineering contexts

  • edifice

    very formal, usually for large, impressive buildings

Usage Note

"Structure" for a building is slightly more formal than "building" and can also refer to things like bridges, towers, or stadiums.

Common Mistakes

They built a new structure house in the neighbourhood.
They built a new structure in the neighbourhood.
'structure' already means a building or built object; do not add 'house' or 'building' after it.

3. a shaped part inside a living creature that performs a specific role, such as th

3.nounB2
Definition

a shaped part inside a living creature that performs a specific role, such as the heart, the lungs, or the bones.

Example

The structure of the human eye lets us focus on objects both near and far.

collocation: structure of the eye / heart / brain

Nia's research paper examined the cellular structure of healthy skin tissue.

collocation: cellular / bone / tissue structure

Common collocations
  • cellular structure
  • bone structure
  • tissue structure
  • structure of the brain
  • structure of the heart
  • muscle structure
Synonyms
  • organ

    a specific type of body structure with a particular function, such as the heart or liver

  • tissue

    a group of cells of similar type, not a whole organ

  • anatomy

    refers to the whole study of body structure, not a single part

Usage Note

When used in biology or medicine, "structure" usually combines with 'of' and a body part name (e.g., "structure of the brain") or with an adjective describing location (e.g., "cellular structure").

4. a state in which something is well organized and arranged according to a clear p

4.nounB2
Definition

a state in which something is well organized and arranged according to a clear plan; the act of organizing or building something in a planned way.

Example

The new manager brought more structure to how the team handles customer complaints.

collocation: bring / give / add structure to [something]

Yael felt that her daily routine lacked structure, so she created a schedule.

collocation: lack structure / need structure

Common collocations
  • bring structure to
  • lack structure
  • provide structure
  • financial structure
  • give structure to
Synonyms
  • order

    simpler word; focuses on things being in the right place or happening correctly

  • organization

    very close in meaning but emphasises the process of arranging rather than the resulting state

  • system

    focuses on a set of rules or methods working together

Antonyms
  • chaos

    complete lack of structure or order

Usage Note

This sense is uncountable in its abstract meaning (e.g., "the team needs more structure") and is often used with verbs like "bring," "give," "provide," "lack," or "need."

structure — verb

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

"Structure" and "organization" are the closest pair — both refer to how parts fit together into a whole. However, "structure" tends to describe the fixed pattern that results (e.g., the structure of a building or sentence), while "organization" emphasises the act of arranging things (e.g., the organization of a charity event). "Arrangement" is more general and can refer to any order or positioning, even temporary ones (e.g., the arrangement of chairs in a room). "Framework" is narrower: it means the basic supporting structure on which other things are built, often used in planning or theory (e.g., a legal framework). To choose between them: if you mean the permanent way parts are connected, use "structure"; if you mean how someone puts things in order, use "organization"; if you refer to a temporary or flexible order, use "arrangement"; and if you mean the underlying skeleton that supports something, use "framework."

structure ↗arrangement ↗organization ↗framework ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • structure of society
  • structure of a sentence
  • change the structure of

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word "structure" comes from Latin "structura" (a fitting together, a building), which came from "struere" (to build, to pile together). It entered English through French in the 1400s, first referring to buildings and later to abstract arrangements. The verb form appeared in the 1800s.