structure

A structure is something of many parts that is put together. A structure can be a skyscraper, an outhouse, your body, or a sentence.

Structure is from the Latin word structura which means "a fitting together, building." Although it's certainly used to describe buildings, it can do more than that. A family's structure includes the relationship of its members, your body structure can refer to how your muscles and bones fit together. Sentence structure is how a sentence is put together, including subjects, verbs, and all that stuff English teachers love to yap about. Structure is usually a noun, but it can also be a verb meaning to impose order, like if you "structure an argument to convince your parents to let you stay out later."

Definitions of structure

noun
a thing constructed; a complex entity constructed of many parts

“the structure consisted of a series of arches”

synonyms: construction

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types:
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airdock, hangar, repair shed
a large structure at an airport where aircraft can be stored and maintained

altar
a raised structure on which gifts or sacrifices to a god are made

arcade, colonnade
a structure composed of a series of arches supported by columns

arch
(architecture) a masonry construction (usually curved) for spanning an opening and supporting the weight above it

area
a part of a structure having some specific characteristic or function

balcony
a platform projecting from the wall of a building and surrounded by a balustrade or railing or parapet

balcony
an upper floor projecting from the rear over the main floor in an auditorium

bascule
a structure or device in which one end is counterbalanced by the other (on the principle of the seesaw)

boarding
a structure of boards

body
the external structure of a vehicle

bridge, span
a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.

building, edifice
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place

building complex, complex
a whole structure (as a building) made up of interconnected or related structures

catchment
a structure in which water is collected (especially a natural drainage area)

coil, helix, spiral, volute, whorl
a structure consisting of something wound in a continuous series of loops

colonnade
structure consisting of a row of evenly spaced columns

column, pillar
a vertical cylindrical structure standing alone and not supporting anything (such as a monument)

corner, quoin
(architecture) solid exterior angle of a building; especially one formed by a cornerstone

cross
a wooden structure consisting of an upright post with a transverse piece

deathtrap
any structure that is very unsafe; where people are likely to be killed

defence, defense, defensive structure
a structure used to defend against attack

door
a structure where people live or work (usually ordered along a street or road)

entablature
(architecture) the structure consisting of the part of a classical temple above the columns between a capital and the roof

erection
a structure that has been erected

establishment
a public or private structure (business or governmental or educational) including buildings and equipment for business or residence

false bottom
a horizontal structure that partitions a ship or box (especially one built close to the actual bottom)

floor, level, storey, story
a structure consisting of a room or set of rooms at a single position along a vertical scale

fountain
a structure from which an artificially produced jet of water arises

guide
a structure or marking that serves to direct the motion or positioning of something

card-house, cardcastle, cardhouse, house of cards
an unstable construction with playing cards

housing, living accommodations, lodging
structures collectively in which people are housed

hull
the frame or body of a ship

jungle gym
a structure of vertical and horizontal rods where children can climb and play

lamination
a layered structure

landing, landing place
structure providing a place where boats can land people or goods

lookout, lookout station, observation tower, observatory
a structure commanding a wide view of its surroundings

masonry
structure built of stone or brick by a mason

memorial, monument
a structure erected to commemorate persons or events

hill, mound
structure consisting of an artificial heap or bank usually of earth or stones

impediment, impedimenta, obstructer, obstruction, obstructor
any structure that makes progress difficult

divider, partition
a vertical structure that divides or separates (as a wall divides one room from another)

platform, weapons platform
any military structure or vehicle bearing weapons

porch
a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance

post and lintel
a structure consisting of vertical beams (posts) supporting a horizontal beam (lintel)

prefab
a prefabricated structure

projection
any structure that branches out from a central support

public works
structures (such as highways or schools or bridges or docks) constructed at government expense for public use

sail
any structure that resembles a sail

offset, set-back, setoff
structure where a wall or building narrows abruptly

shelter
a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger

shoebox
a structure resembling a shoebox (as a rectangular building or a cramped room or compartment)

sign, signboard
structure displaying a board on which advertisements can be posted

arena, bowl, sports stadium, stadium
a large structure for open-air sports or entertainments

superstructure
structure consisting of the part of a ship above the main deck

supporting structure
a structure that serves to support something

tower
a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building

transept
structure forming the transverse part of a cruciform church; crosses the nave at right angles

trestlework
a supporting structure composed of a system of connected trestles; for a bridge or pier or scaffold e.g.

vaulting
(architecture) a vaulted structure

shipway, slipway, ways
structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired

wellhead
a structure built over a well

wind tunnel
a structure resembling a tunnel where air is blown at known velocities for testing parts of aircraft

honeycomb
a structure of small hexagonal cells constructed from beeswax by bees and used to store honey and larvae

balance, counterbalance, equilibrium, equipoise
equality of distribution

abattoir, butchery, shambles, slaughterhouse
a building where animals are butchered

abutment arch
an arch supported by an abutment

academy
a learned establishment for the advancement of knowledge

aisle
part of a church divided laterally from the nave proper by rows of pillars or columns

amphitheater, amphitheatre, coliseum
an oval large stadium with tiers of seats; an arena in which contests and spectacles are held

apartment, flat
a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house

apartment building, apartment house
a building that is divided into apartments

architecture
an architectural product or work

arm, branch, limb
any projection that is thought to resemble a human arm

auditorium
the area of a theater or concert hall where the audience sits

aviary, bird sanctuary, volary
a building where birds are kept

back porch
a porch for the back door

baggage claim
an area in an airport where arriving passengers can collect the luggage that has been carried in the hold of the aircraft

Bailey bridge
a temporary bridge designed for rapid construction

ballpark, park
a facility in which ball games are played (especially baseball games)

bar
an obstruction (usually metal) placed at the top of a goal

barbette
(formerly) a mound of earth inside a fort from which heavy gun can be fired over the parapet

barbacan, barbican
a tower that is part of a defensive structure (such as a castle)

barrier
a structure or object that impedes free movement

basement, cellar
the lowermost portion of a structure partly or wholly below ground level; often used for storage

bathhouse, bathing machine
a building containing dressing rooms for bathers

beacon, beacon light, lighthouse, pharos
a tower with a light that gives warning of shoals to passing ships

bell tower
a tower that supports or shelters a bell

billboard, hoarding
large outdoor signboard

billet
lodging for military personnel (especially in a private home)

block
housing in a large building that is divided into separate units

blockade
something that prevents access or progress

block, blockage, closure, occlusion, stop, stoppage
an obstruction in a pipe or tube

boards
the boarding that surrounds an ice hockey rink

bodywork
the exterior body of a motor vehicle

bowling alley
a building that contains several alleys for bowling

box
any one of several designated areas on a ball field where the batter or catcher or coaches are positioned

brass, memorial tablet, plaque
a memorial made of brass

brattice
a partition (often temporary) of planks or cloth that is used to control ventilation in a mine

breakfast area, breakfast nook
a place for light meals (usually near a kitchen)

brickwork
masonry done with bricks and mortar

brim
a circular projection that sticks outward from the crown of a hat

broken arch
an arch with a gap at the apex; the gap is usually filled with some decoration

bulkhead
a partition that divides a ship or plane into compartments

bullpen
a place on a baseball field where relief pitchers can warm up during a game

bullring
a stadium where bullfights take place

barrow, burial mound, grave mound, tumulus
(archeology) a heap of earth placed over prehistoric tombs

burr
rough projection left on a workpiece after drilling or cutting

camber arch
an arch with a straight horizontal extrados and a slightly arched intrados

camp
temporary lodgings in the country for travelers or vacationers

cantilever bridge
bridge constructed of two cantilevers that meet in the middle

cattle grid, cattle guard
a bridge over a ditch consisting of parallel metal bars that allow pedestrians and vehicles to pass, but not cattle

cenotaph, empty tomb
a monument built to honor people whose remains are interred elsewhere or whose remains cannot be recovered

center, centre
a building dedicated to a particular activity

bema, chancel, sanctuary
area around the altar of a church for the clergy and choir; often enclosed by a lattice or railing

chapterhouse
a building attached to a monastery or cathedral; used as a meeting place for the chapter

cheval-de-frise, chevaux-de-frise
defensive structure consisting of a movable obstacle composed of barbed wire or spikes attached to a wooden frame; used to obstruct cavalry

choir
the area occupied by singers; the part of the chancel between sanctuary and nave

church tower
the tower of a church

circus
(antiquity) an open-air stadium for chariot races and gladiatorial games

cleat
a metal or leather projection (as from the sole of a shoe); prevents slipping

clock tower
a tower with a large clock visible high up on an outside face

club, clubhouse
a building that is occupied by a social club

college
a complex of buildings in which an institution of higher education is housed

condominium
housing consisting of a complex of dwelling units (as an apartment house) in which each unit is individually owned

control tower
a tower with an elevated workspace enclosed in glass for the visual observation of aircraft around an airport

cookhouse
a detached or outdoor shelter for cooking

corbel arch
(architecture) an arch constructed of masonry courses that are corbelled until they meet

corner, nook
an interior angle formed by two meeting walls

cornice
the topmost projecting part of an entablature

court, courtyard
an area wholly or partly surrounded by walls or buildings

covered bridge
a bridge whose passageway is protected by a roof and enclosing sides

dead-air space
an unventilated area where no air circulates

deck
a porch that resembles the deck on a ship

deck-house
a superstructure on the upper deck of a ship

dining area
an area arranged for dining

dock, dockage, docking facility
landing in a harbor next to a pier where ships are loaded and unloaded or repaired; may have gates to let water in or out

covered stadium, dome, domed stadium
a stadium that has a roof

dorm, dormitory, hall, residence hall, student residence
a college or university building containing living quarters for students

drawbridge, lift bridge
a bridge that can be raised to block passage or to allow boats or ships to pass beneath it

bubbler, drinking fountain, water fountain
a public fountain to provide a jet of drinking water

drip, drip mold, drip mould
(architecture) a projection from a cornice or sill designed to protect the area below from rainwater (as over a window or doorway)

dry masonry
masonry without mortar

dugout
either of two low shelters on either side of a baseball diamond where the players and coaches sit during the game

abode, domicile, dwelling, dwelling house, habitation, home
housing that someone is living in

embankment
a long artificial mound of stone or earth; built to hold back water or to support a road or as protection

enclosure
a structure consisting of an area that has been enclosed for some purpose

fallout shelter
a shelter to protect occupants from the fallout from an atomic bomb

fan vaulting
an elaborate system of vaulting in which the ribs diverge like fans

farm building
a building on a farm

feedlot
a building where livestock are fattened for market

firetrap
a building that would be hard to escape from if it were to catch fire

flange, rim
a projection used for strength or for attaching to another object

flashboard, flashboarding
boarding place along the top of a dam to increase its height

flat arch, straight arch
an arch with mutually supporting voussoirs that has a straight horizontal extrados and intrados

flue, fluke
flat bladelike projection on the arm of an anchor

football stadium
a stadium where football games are held

footbridge, overcrossing, pedestrian bridge
a bridge designed for pedestrians

fortification, munition
defensive structure consisting of walls or mounds built around a stronghold to strengthen it

fort, fortress
a fortified defensive structure

framework
a structure supporting or containing something

front porch
a porch for the front door

fuselage
the central body of an airplane that is designed to accommodate the crew and passengers (or cargo)

gallery
narrow recessed balcony area along an upper floor on the interior of a building; usually marked by a colonnade

gambling den, gambling hell, gambling house, gaming house
a public building in which a variety of games of chance can be played (operated as a business)

gazebo, summerhouse
a small roofed building affording shade and rest

goalmouth
(sports) the area immediately in front of the goal

government building
a building that houses a branch of government

gravestone, headstone, tombstone
a stone that is used to mark a grave

glasshouse, greenhouse, nursery
a building with glass walls and roof; for the cultivation and exhibition of plants under controlled conditions

first floor, ground floor, ground level
the floor of a building that is at or nearest to the level of the ground around the building

gun enclosure, gun turret, turret
a self-contained weapons platform housing guns and capable of rotation

hall
a large building for meetings or entertainment

hall
a large building used by a college or university for teaching or research

Hall of Fame
a building containing trophies honoring famous people

hank
a coil of rope or wool or yarn

haven, oasis
a shelter serving as a place of safety or sanctuary

head
a projection out from one end

hideaway, retreat
an area where you can be alone

high altar
the main altar in a church

high-rise, tower block
tower consisting of a multistoried building of offices or apartments

encumbrance, hinderance, hindrance, hitch, incumbrance, interference, preventative, preventive
any obstruction that impedes or is burdensome

hippodrome
a stadium for horse shows or horse races

hospice
a lodging for travelers (especially one kept by a monastic order)

hostel, student lodging, youth hostel
inexpensive supervised lodging (especially for youths on bicycling trips)

hotel
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services

casino-hotel, hotel-casino
a building that houses both a hotel and a casino

house
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

house
a building in which something is sheltered or located

hovel, hut, hutch, shack, shanty
small crude shelter used as a dwelling

army hut, field hut, hut
temporary military shelter

institution
an establishment consisting of a building or complex of buildings where an organization for the promotion of some cause is situated

boss, knob
a circular rounded projection or protuberance

laminate
a sheet of material made by bonding two or more sheets or layers

library
a building that houses a collection of books and other materials

line of defence, line of defense
defensive structure consisting of a barrier that can be employed for defense against attack

living quarters, quarters
housing available for people to live in

lobe
a rounded projection that is part of a larger structure

attic, garret, loft
floor consisting of open space at the top of a house just below roof; often used for storage

loft, pigeon loft
a raised shelter in which pigeons are kept

loft
floor consisting of a large unpartitioned space over a factory or warehouse or other commercial space

loge
balcony consisting of the forward section of a theater mezzanine

loggia
a roofed arcade or gallery with open sides stretching along the front or side of a building; often at an upper level

lug
a projecting piece that is used to lift or support or turn something

mantelet, mantlet
portable bulletproof shelter

health facility, healthcare facility, medical building
building where medicine is practiced

megalith, megalithic structure
memorial consisting of a very large stone forming part of a prehistoric structure (especially in western Europe)

entresol, mezzanine, mezzanine floor
intermediate floor just above the ground floor

first balcony, mezzanine
first or lowest balcony

minaret
slender tower with balconies

ministry
building where the business of a government department is transacted

manufactured home, mobile home
a large house trailer that can be connected to utilities and can be parked in one place and used as permanent housing

mooring mast, mooring tower
a tower for mooring airships

dead room, morgue, mortuary
a building (or room) where dead bodies are kept before burial or cremation

national monument
memorial consisting of a structure or natural landmark of historic interest; set aside by national government for preservation and public enjoyment

nave
the central area of a church

obelisk
a stone pillar having a rectangular cross section tapering towards a pyramidal top

observation dome
lookout consisting of a dome-shaped observatory

observatory
a building designed and equipped to observe astronomical phenomena

obstacle
an obstruction that stands in the way (and must be removed or surmounted or circumvented)

office block, office building
a building containing offices where work is done

opium den
a building where opium is sold and used

orchestra pit, pit
lowered area in front of a stage where an orchestra accompanies the performers

outbuilding
a building that is subordinate to and separate from a main building

outwork
subsidiary defensive structure lying outside the main fortified area

overhang
projection that extends beyond or hangs over something else

flyover, overpass
bridge formed by the upper level of a crossing of two highways at different levels

packinghouse
a building where foodstuffs are processed and packed

panopticon
an area where everything is visible

pantheon
a monument commemorating a nation's dead heroes

patio, terrace
usually paved outdoor area adjoining a residence

perfumery
an establishment where perfumes are made

peristyle
a colonnade surrounding a building or enclosing a court

phrontistery
an establishment for study and learning (sometimes including modern universities)

pied-a-terre
lodging for occasional or secondary use

pier arch
an arch supported on piers

pit
(auto racing) an area at the side of a racetrack where the race cars are serviced and refueled

pit
(commodity exchange) the part of the floor of a commodity exchange where trading in a particular commodity is carried on

business establishment, place of business
an establishment (a factory or an assembly plant or retail store or warehouse etc.) where business is conducted, goods are made or stored or processed or where services are rendered

house of God, house of prayer, house of worship, place of worship
any building where congregations gather for prayer

planetarium
a building housing an instrument for projecting the positions of the planets onto a domed ceiling

industrial plant, plant, works
buildings for carrying on industrial labor

pointed arch
an arch with a pointed apex; characteristic of Gothic architecture

bateau bridge, floating bridge, pontoon bridge
a temporary bridge built over a series of pontoons

poorhouse
an establishment maintained at public expense in order to provide housing for the poor and homeless

portico
a porch or entrance to a building consisting of a covered and often columned area

presbytery
building reserved for the officiating clergy

press gallery
an area (sometimes in a balcony) set aside for reporters (especially in a legislative hall)

prong
a pointed projection

proscenium arch
the arch over the opening in the proscenium wall

lay-by, layby, pull-off, rest area, rest stop
designated paved area beside a main road where cars can stop temporarily

power pylon, pylon
a large vertical steel tower supporting high-tension power lines

pylon
a tower for guiding pilots or marking the turning point in a race

quad, quadrangle
a rectangular area surrounded on all sides by buildings

quartering
living accommodations (especially those assigned to military personnel)

rampant arch
an arch whose support is higher on one side than on the other

rattrap
filthy run-down dilapidated housing

asylum, refuge, sanctuary
a shelter from danger or hardship

eatery, eating house, eating place, restaurant
a building where people go to eat

rest house
a building used for shelter by travelers (especially in areas where there are no hotels)

ribbon development
building complex in a continuous row along a road

rink, skating rink
building that contains a surface for ice skating or roller skating

Roman building
a building constructed by the ancient Romans

room
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

rope bridge
a bridge consisting of ropes

rotunda
a building having a circular plan and a dome

round arch
an arch formed in a continuous curve; characteristic of Roman architecture

rowlock arch
an arch that is formed with more than one concentric row of voussoirs

ruin
a ruined building

safety arch
an undecorated arch that is included in order to strengthen or support a construction

sandwich board
signboard consisting of two hinged boards that hang front and back from the shoulders of a walker and are used to display advertisements

school, schoolhouse
a building where young people receive education

school system
establishment including the plant and equipment for providing education from kindergarten through high school

scoinson arch, sconcheon arch
an arch that supports part of the wall

sconce
a shelter or screen providing protection from enemy fire or from the weather

scoreboard
a large board for displaying the score of a contest (and some other information)

screen
partition consisting of a decorative frame or panel that serves to divide a space

family circle, peanut gallery, second balcony, upper balcony
rearmost or uppermost area in the balcony containing the least expensive seats

segmental arch
a shallow arch; an arch that is less than a semicircle

Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, Seven Wonders of the World
impressive monuments created in the ancient world that were regarded with awe

shelter
temporary housing for homeless or displaced persons

shingle
a small signboard outside the office of a lawyer or doctor, e.g.

shooting gallery
a building (usually abandoned) where drug addicts buy and use heroin

shot tower
tower of a kind once used to make shot; molten lead was poured through a sieve and dropped into water

shouldered arch
an arch consisting of a horizontal lintel supported at each end by corbels that project into the aperture

signal box, signal tower
a building from which signals are sent to control the movements of railway trains

silo
a cylindrical tower used for storing silage

diminished arch, scheme arch, skeen arch, skene arch
an arch whose height is less than half its width

frame, skeletal frame, skeleton, underframe
the internal supporting structure that gives an artifact its shape

skew arch
an arch whose jambs are not at right angles with the face

skybox
an elevated box for viewing events at a sports stadium

skyscraper
a very tall building with many stories

snow bank, snowbank
a mound or heap of snow

spike
a sharp-pointed projection along the top of a fence or wall (or a dinosaur)

squinch
a small arch built across the interior angle of two walls (usually to support a spire)

steel arch bridge
a steel bridge constructed in the form of an arch

spire, steeple
a tall tower that forms the superstructure of a building (usually a church or temple) and that tapers to a point at the top

stonework
masonry done with stone

stoep, stoop
small porch or set of steps at the front entrance of a house

storage space
the area in any structure that provides space for storage

cyclone cellar, storm cellar, tornado cellar
an underground shelter where you can go until a storm passes

fastness, stronghold
a strongly fortified defensive structure

student union
a building on a college campus dedicated to social and organizational activities of the student body

support
supporting structure that holds up or provides a foundation

supporting tower
a tower that serves to support something

suspension bridge
a bridge that has a roadway supported by cables that are anchored at both ends

tap house, tavern
a building with a bar that is licensed to sell alcoholic drinks

telco building, telecom hotel
a building that houses telecommunications equipment

temple
an edifice devoted to special or exalted purposes

tenon
a projection at the end of a piece of wood that is shaped to fit into a mortise and form a mortise joint

collapsible shelter, tent
a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)

house, theater, theatre
a building where theatrical performances or motion-picture shows can be presented

threshing floor
a floor or ground area for threshing or treading out grain

toll bridge
a bridge where toll is charged for crossing

tooth
something resembling the tooth of an animal

tooth
one of a number of uniform projections on a gear

totem pole
a tribal emblem consisting of a pillar carved and painted with totemic figures; erected by Indian tribes of the northwest Pacific coast

tract housing
housing consisting of similar houses constructed together on a tract of land

trestle bridge
a bridge supported by trestlework

trimmer arch
an arch built between trimmers in a floor (to support the weight of a hearth)

triumphal arch
a monumental archway; usually they are built to commemorate some notable victory

truss bridge
a bridge supported by trusses

Tudor arch, four-centered arch
a low elliptical or pointed arch; usually drawn from four centers

tumbler
a movable obstruction in a lock that must be adjusted to a given position (as by a key) before the bolt can be thrown

turnaround
an area sufficiently large for a vehicle to turn around

turret
a small tower extending above a building

university
establishment where a seat of higher learning is housed, including administrative and living quarters as well as facilities for research and teaching

gallery, veranda, verandah
a porch along the outside of a building (sometimes partly enclosed)

viaduct
bridge consisting of a series of arches supported by piers used to carry a road (or railroad) over a valley

wall
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

watchtower
an observation tower for a lookout to watch over prisoners or watch for fires or enemies

bagnio, bawdyhouse, bordello, brothel, cathouse, house of ill repute, house of prostitution, sporting house
a building where prostitutes are available

widow's walk
a lookout atop a coastal house

conformation
a symmetrical arrangement of the parts of a thing

proportion, symmetry
balance among the parts of something

median
a paved or landscaped dividing area between opposing lanes of travel on a highway

mission
a building or compound used by a group carrying out religious and humanitarian work

type of:
artefact, artifact
a man-made object taken as a whole
noun
the people in a society considered as a system organized by a characteristic pattern of relationships

“sociologists have studied the changing structure of the family”

synonyms: social organisation, social organization, social structure, social system

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types:
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feudal system, feudalism
the social system that developed in Europe in the 8th century; vassals were protected by lords who they had to serve in war

patriarchate, patriarchy
a form of social organization in which a male is the family head and title is traced through the male line

matriarchate, matriarchy
a form of social organization in which a female is the family head and title is traced through the female line

meritocracy
a form of social system in which power goes to those with superior intellects

pluralism
a social organization in which diversity of racial or religious or ethnic or cultural groups is tolerated

class structure
the organization of classes within a society

segregation, separatism
a social system that provides separate facilities for minority groups

caste system
a social structure in which classes are determined by heredity

racial segregation
segregation by race

de facto segregation
segregation (especially in schools) that happens in fact although not required by law

de jure segregation
segregation that is imposed by law

purdah, sex segregation
the traditional Hindu or Muslim system of keeping women secluded

white separatism
a social system in which white people live separately from members of other races

type of:
scheme, system
a group of independent but interrelated elements comprising a unified whole
noun
the complex composition of knowledge as elements and their combinations

“his lectures have no structure”

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types:
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arrangement, organisation, organization, system
an organized structure for arranging or classifying

form, pattern, shape
a perceptual structure

phrase structure, sentence structure, syntax
the grammatical arrangement of words in sentences

morphology, sound structure, syllable structure, word structure
the admissible arrangement of sounds in words

classification system
a system for classifying things

contrivance
an artificial or unnatural or obviously contrived arrangement of details or parts etc.

coordinate system, frame of reference, reference frame, reference system
a system that uses coordinates to establish position

data structure
(computer science) the organization of data (and its storage allocations in a computer)

design, plan
an arrangement scheme

distribution, statistical distribution
(statistics) an arrangement of values of a variable showing their observed or theoretical frequency of occurrence

genetic map
graphical representation of the arrangement of genes on a chromosome

kinship system
(anthropology) the system of social relationships that constitute kinship in a particular culture, including the terminology that is used and the reciprocal obligations that are entailed

lattice
an arrangement of points or particles or objects in a regular periodic pattern in 2 or 3 dimensions

living arrangement
an arrangement to allow people (or ideas) to coexist

fractal
(mathematics) a geometric pattern that is repeated at every scale and so cannot be represented by classical geometry

gestalt
a configuration or pattern of elements so unified as a whole that it cannot be described merely as a sum of its parts

grid
a pattern of regularly spaced horizontal and vertical lines

kaleidoscope
a complex pattern of constantly changing colors and shapes

mosaic
a pattern resembling a mosaic

strand
a pattern forming a unity within a larger structural whole

ontology
(computer science) a rigorous and exhaustive organization of some knowledge domain that is usually hierarchical and contains all the relevant entities and their relations

affixation
the result of adding an affix to a root word

calendar
a system of timekeeping that defines the beginning and length and divisions of the year

type of:
cognition, knowledge, noesis
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
noun
the manner of construction of something and the arrangement of its parts

“artists must study the structure of the human body”

“the structure of the benzene molecule”

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types:
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infrastructure, substructure
the basic structure or features of a system or organization

architecture, computer architecture
(computer science) the structure and organization of a computer's hardware or system software

cytoarchitectonics, cytoarchitecture
the cellular composition of a bodily structure

fabric, framework
the underlying structure

CISC, complex instruction set computer, complex instruction set computing
(computer science) a kind of computer architecture that has a large number of instructions hard coded into the CPU chip

RISC, reduced instruction set computer, reduced instruction set computing
(computer science) a kind of computer architecture that has a relatively small set of computer instructions that it can perform

armature
the underlying framework of something immaterial, especially a literary work

type of:
composition, constitution, make-up, makeup, physical composition
the way in which someone or something is composed
noun
a particular complex anatomical part of a living thing

“he has good bone structure”

synonyms: anatomical structure, bodily structure, body structure, complex body part

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layer
thin structure composed of a single thickness of cells

apodeme
ridge-like ingrowth of the exoskeleton of an arthropod that supports internal organs and provides attachment points for muscles

caliculus, calycle, calyculus
a small cup-shaped structure (as a taste bud or optic cup or cavity of a coral containing a polyp)

tooth
toothlike structure in invertebrates found in the mouth or alimentary canal or on a shell

pad
the fleshy cushion-like underside of an animal's foot or of a human's finger

branchial cleft, gill cleft, gill slit
one of a series of slit openings in the pharynxes of fishes and aquatic amphibians through which water passes

branchial arch, gill arch, gill bar
one of the bony or cartilaginous arches on each side of the pharynx that support the gills of fishes and aquatic amphibians

peristome
region around the mouth in various invertebrates

syrinx
the vocal organ of a bird

bulb
a rounded dilation or expansion in a canal or vessel or organ

carina
any of various keel-shaped structures or ridges such as that on the breastbone of a bird or that formed by the fused petals of a pea blossom

cauda
any taillike structure

chiasm, chiasma, decussation
an intersection or crossing of two tracts in the form of the letter X

cingulum
(anatomy) an encircling structure (as the ridge around the base of a tooth)

concha
(anatomy) a structure that resembles a shell in shape

filament, filum
a threadlike structure (as a chainlike series of cells)

germ
a small apparently simple structure (as a fertilized egg) from which new tissue can develop into a complete organism

infundibulum
any of various funnel-shaped parts of the body (but especially the hypophyseal stalk)

interstice
a small structural space between tissues or parts of an organ

landmark
an anatomical structure used as a point of origin in locating other anatomical structures (as in surgery) or as point from which measurements can be taken

limbus
a border or edge of any of various body parts distinguished by color or structure

rib
a riblike supporting or strengthening part of an animal or plant

blade
a broad flat body part (as of the shoulder or tongue)

radicle
(anatomy) a small structure resembling a rootlet (such as a fibril of a nerve)

plexus, rete
a network of intersecting blood vessels or intersecting nerves or intersecting lymph vessels

tube, tube-shaped structure
(anatomy) any hollow cylindrical body structure

passage, passageway
a path or channel or duct through or along which something may pass

fundus
(anatomy) the base of a hollow organ or that part of the organ farthest from its opening

funiculus
any of several body structure resembling a cord

head
that part of a skeletal muscle that is away from the bone that it moves

bodily cavity, cavity, cavum
(anatomy) a natural hollow or sinus within the body

root, tooth root
the part of a tooth that is embedded in the jaw and serves as support

capsule
a structure that encloses a body part

uvea
the part of the eye that contains the iris and ciliary body and choroid

lens nucleus, nucleus
the central structure of the lens that is surrounded by the cortex

membranous labyrinth
the sensory structures of the inner ear including the labyrinthine receptors and the cochlea; contained within the bony labyrinth

bony labyrinth, osseous labyrinth
cavity in the petrous part of the temporal bone that contains the membranous labyrinth

glans
a small rounded structure; especially that at the end of the penis or clitoris

alveolar bed
lung tissue densely packed with alveoli

valve
a structure in a hollow organ (like the heart) with a flap to insure one-way flow of fluid through it

vascular structure
a structure composed of or provided with blood vessels

lacrimal apparatus
the structures that secrete and drain tears from the eye

cytoskeleton
a microscopic network of actin filaments and microtubules in the cytoplasm of many living cells that gives the cell shape and coherence

nucleolar organiser, nucleolar organizer, nucleolus organiser, nucleolus organizer
the particular part of a chromosome that is associated with a nucleolus after nuclear division

centromere, kinetochore
a specialized condensed region of each chromosome that appears during mitosis where the chromatids are held together to form an X shape

aster
star-shaped structure formed in the cytoplasm of a cell having fibers like rays that surround the centrosome during mitosis

neural structure
a structure that is part of the nervous system

fold, plica
a folded part (as in skin or muscle)

convolution, gyrus
a convex fold or elevation in the surface of the brain

cartilaginous structure
body structure given shape by cartilage

ball
a more or less rounded anatomical body or mass

plate
any flat platelike body structure or part

horny structure, unguis
any rigid body structure composed primarily of keratin

skeletal structure
any structure created by the skeleton of an organism

costa
a riblike part of a plant or animal (such as a middle rib of a leaf or a thickened vein of an insect wing)

head
the rounded end of a bone that fits into a rounded cavity in another bone to form a joint

bridge
the hard ridge that forms the upper part of the nose

rotator cuff
a supporting structure of the shoulder consisting of the muscles and tendons that attach the arm to the shoulder joint and enable the arm to move

cornu
(anatomy) any structure that resembles a horn in shape

corona
(anatomy) any structure that resembles a crown in shape

receptor
a cellular structure that is postulated to exist in order to mediate between a chemical agent that acts on nervous tissue and the physiological response

zona, zone
(anatomy) any encircling or beltlike structure

armature
a protective or defensive covering of a plant or animal

blastocele, blastocoel, blastocoele, cleavage cavity, segmentation cavity
the fluid-filled cavity inside a blastula

blastoderm, blastodisc, germinal area, germinal disc
a layer of cells on the inside of the blastula

archenteron
central cavity of the gastrula; becomes the intestinal or digestive cavity

hypodermis
layer of cells that secretes the chitinous cuticle in e.g. arthropods

vane, web
the flattened weblike part of a feather consisting of a series of barbs on either side of the shaft

operculum
a hard flap serving as a cover for (a) the gill slits in fishes or (b) the opening of the shell in certain gastropods when the body is retracted

comb
ciliated comb-like swimming plate of a ctenophore

hoof
the horny covering of the end of the foot in ungulate mammals

eyecup, optic cup
(embryology) a two-walled cuplike depression that develops into the pigmented and sensory layers of the retina

denticle
small pointed ridge on the exoskeleton of an arthropod

claw
sharp curved horny process on the toe of a bird or some mammals or reptiles

calamus, quill, shaft
the hollow spine of a feather

nervure, vein
one of the horny ribs that stiffen and support the wing of an insect

birth canal
a passage in the uterus and vagina through which a fetus passes during vaginal birth

carina fornicis
ridge on the lower surface of the fornix of the brain

corpus mamillare, mamillary body, mammillary body
one of two small round structures on the undersurface of the brain that form the terminals of the anterior arches of the fornix

keel
the median ridge on the breastbone of birds that fly

chiasma opticum, optic chiasm, optic chiasma
the crossing of the optic nerves from the two eyes at the base of the brain

nasal concha
one of several turbinate bones in the nasal cavity

craniometric point
a landmark on the skull from which craniometric measurements can be taken

aortic plexus
a plexus of lymph nodes in the lower portion of the abdominal aorta

nerve plexus
a network of intersecting nerves

tubule
a small tube

salpinx
a tube in the uterus or the ear

malpighian body, malpighian corpuscle, renal corpuscle
the capsule that contains Bowman's capsule and a glomerulus at the expanded end of a nephron

meatus
a natural body passageway

opening, orifice, porta
an aperture or hole that opens into a bodily cavity

canal, channel, duct, epithelial duct
a bodily passage or tube lined with epithelial cells and conveying a secretion or other substance

sinus
any of various air-filled cavities especially in the bones of the skull

sinusoid
tiny endothelium-lined passages for blood in the tissue of an organ

locule, loculus
a small cavity or space within an organ or in a plant or animal

lumen
a cavity or passage in a tubular organ

hair, pilus
any of the cylindrical filaments characteristically growing from the epidermis of a mammal

carpal tunnel
a passageway in the wrist through which nerves and the flexor muscles of the hands pass

socket
a bony hollow into which a structure fits

pulp cavity
the central cavity of a tooth containing the pulp (including the root canal)

cranial orbit, eye socket, orbit, orbital cavity
the bony cavity in the skull containing the eyeball

ganglion
an encapsulated neural structure consisting of a collection of cell bodies of neurons

epiglottis
a flap of cartilage that covers the windpipe while swallowing

buccal cavity
the cavity between the jaws and the cheeks

antrum
a natural cavity or hollow in a bone

cloaca
(zoology) the cavity (in birds, reptiles, amphibians, most fish, and monotremes but not mammals) at the end of the digestive tract into which the intestinal, genital, and urinary tracts open

vestibule
any of various bodily cavities leading to another cavity (as of the ear or vagina)

root canal
the passage in the root of a tooth through which its nerve and blood vessels enter the pulp cavity

pulp
the soft inner part of a tooth

epicanthic fold, epicanthus
a vertical fold of skin over the nasal canthus; normal for Mongolian peoples; sometimes occurs in Down's syndrome

eyeball, orb
the ball-shaped capsule containing the vertebrate eye

auricle, ear, pinna
the externally visible cartilaginous structure of the external ear

tragus
a small cartilaginous flap in front of the external opening of the ear

mediastinum
the part of the thoracic cavity between the lungs that contains the heart and aorta and esophagus and trachea and thymus

middle ear, tympanic cavity, tympanum
the main cavity of the ear; between the eardrum and the inner ear

lens capsule
a tenuous mesoblastic membrane surrounding the lens of the eye

cochlea
the snail-shaped tube (in the inner ear coiled around the modiolus) where sound vibrations are converted into nerve impulses by the organ of Corti

glans clitoridis
small mass of erectile tissue at the end of the body of the clitoris

glans penis
the conical mass of erectile tissue that forms the head of the penis

pleural cavity
the cavity in the thorax that contains the lungs and heart

chamber
an enclosed volume in the body

cranial cavity, intracranial cavity
the cavity enclosed by the cranium

cardiac valve, heart valve
a valve to control one-way flow of blood

valvelet, valvula, valvule
a small valve

vas, vessel
a tube in which a body fluid circulates

amniotic cavity
the fluid-filled cavity that surrounds the developing embryo

greater peritoneal sac, peritoneal cavity
the interior of the peritoneum; a potential space between layers of the peritoneum

bursa omentalis, lesser peritoneal cavity, omental bursa
an isolated part of the peritoneal cavity that is dorsal to the stomach

pericardial cavity, pericardial space
the space between the layers of the pericardium that contains fluid that lubricates the membrane surfaces and allows easy heart movement

vacuole
a tiny cavity filled with fluid in the cytoplasm of a cell

reflex arc
the neural path of a reflex

center, centre, nerve center, nerve centre
a cluster of nerve cells governing a specific bodily process

cerebral hemisphere, hemisphere
either half of the cerebrum

piriform area, piriform lobe, pyriform area, pyriform lobe
pear-shaped neural structure on either side of the brain in the rhinencephalon

olfactory bulb
one of two enlargements at the terminus of the olfactory nerve at the base of the brain just above the nasal cavities

brain, encephalon
that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord

neencephalon, neoencephalon
the part of the brain having the most recent phylogenetic origin; the cerebral cortex and related parts

palaeencephalon, paleencephalon, paleoencephalon
the more primitive parts of the brain phylogenetically; most structures other than the cerebral cortex

hypophyseal stalk
the funnel-shaped stalk connecting the pituitary gland to the hypothalamus

cerebellum
a major division of the vertebrate brain; situated above the medulla oblongata and beneath the cerebrum in humans

cerebellar hemisphere
either of two lateral lobes of the cerebellum

vermis, vermis cerebelli
the narrow central part of the cerebellum between the two hemispheres

paleocerebellum
the anterior lobe of the cerebellum which was one of the earliest parts of the hindbrain to develop in mammals

cerebral cortex, cerebral mantle, cortex, pallium
the layer of unmyelinated neurons (the grey matter) forming the cortex of the cerebrum

geniculate body
one of four small oval masses that protrude slightly from the underside of the thalamus and function as synaptic centers on the way to the cerebral cortex

frontal gyrus
any of the convolutions of the outer surface of the frontal lobe of the cerebrum

temporal gyrus
any of the convolutions of the outer surface of the temporal lobe of the cerebrum

parietal gyrus
any of the convolutions of the outer surface of the parietal lobe of the cerebrum

occipital gyrus
any of the convolutions of the outer surface of the occipital lobe of the cerebrum

cerebrum
anterior portion of the brain consisting of two hemispheres; dominant part of the brain in humans

central gyrus
either of two gyri on either side of the central sulcus

bulb, medulla, medulla oblongata
lower or hindmost part of the brain; continuous with spinal cord; (`bulb' is an old term for medulla oblongata)

forebrain, prosencephalon
the anterior portion of the brain; the part of the brain that develops from the anterior part of the neural tube

hippocampus
a complex neural structure (shaped like a sea horse) consisting of grey matter and located on the floor of each lateral ventricle; intimately involved in motivation and emotion as part of the limbic system; has a central role in the formation of memories

cingulate gyrus, gyrus cinguli
a long curved structure on the medial surface of the cerebral hemispheres; the cortical part of the limbic system

telencephalon
the anterior division of the forebrain; the cerebrum and related parts of the hypothalamus

betweenbrain, diencephalon, interbrain, thalmencephalon
the posterior division of the forebrain; connects the cerebral hemispheres with the mesencephalon

limbic brain, limbic system, visceral brain
a system of functionally related neural structures in the brain that are involved in emotional behavior

subthalamus
the ventral part of the thalamus

thalamus
large egg-shaped structures of grey matter that form the dorsal subdivision of the diencephalon

hypothalamus
a basal part of the diencephalon governing autonomic nervous system

mesencephalon, midbrain
the middle portion of the brain

locus niger, nucleus niger, substantia nigra
a layer of deeply pigmented grey matter in the midbrain; associated with the striate body; is involved in metabolic disturbances associated with Parkinson's disease and with Huntington's disease

hindbrain, rhombencephalon
the posterior portion of the brain including cerebellum and brainstem

myelencephalon
the posterior part of the hindbrain in developing vertebrates; forms the medulla oblongata in adults

pons, pons Varolii
a band of nerve fibers linking the medulla oblongata and the cerebellum with the midbrain

brain stem, brain-stem, brainstem
the part of the brain continuous with the spinal cord and comprising the medulla oblongata and pons and midbrain and parts of the hypothalamus

nucleus
any histologically identifiable mass of neural cell bodies in the brain or spinal cord

ventricle
one of four connected cavities in the brain; is continuous with the central canal of the spinal cord and contains cerebrospinal fluid

radiation
a radial arrangement of nerve fibers connecting different parts of the brain

medulla spinalis, spinal cord
a major part of the central nervous system which conducts sensory and motor nerve impulses to and from the brain; a long tubelike structure extending from the base of the brain through the vertebral canal to the upper lumbar region

ANS, autonomic nervous system
the part of the nervous system of vertebrates that controls involuntary actions of the smooth muscles and heart and glands

choroid plexus, plexus choroideus
a vascular plexus of the cerebral ventricles that regulate intraventricular pressure

lumbar plexus, plexus lumbalis
a lymphatic plexus located along the lower portion of the aorta and iliac vessels

pterygoid plexus
a plexus of veins draining the region of the pterygoid muscles and draining into the internal maxillary and anterior facial veins

sac
a structure resembling a bag in an animal

uterine cavity
the space inside the uterus between the cervical canal and the Fallopian tubes

umbilical, umbilical cord
membranous duct connecting the fetus with the placenta

placenta
the vascular structure in the uterus of most mammals providing oxygen and nutrients for and transferring wastes from the developing fetus

rete testis
network of tubules carrying sperm from the seminiferous tubules to the vasa efferentia

spermatic cord
a structure resembling a cord that suspends the testis within the scrotum and contains the vas deferens and other vessels and nerves

nasal cavity
either of the two cavities lying between the floor of the cranium and the roof of the mouth and extending from the face to the pharynx

nasopharynx
cavity forming the upper part of the pharynx

oropharynx
cavity formed by the pharynx at the back of the mouth

laryngopharynx
the lower part of the pharynx

larynx, voice box
a cartilaginous structure at the top of the trachea; contains elastic vocal cords that are the source of the vocal tone in speech

plica vocalis, vocal band, vocal cord, vocal fold
either of two pairs of folds of mucous membrane projecting into the larynx

esophagus, gorge, gullet, oesophagus
the passage between the pharynx and the stomach

epicardia
the short part of the esophagus extending downward from the diaphragm to the stomach

blind gut, caecum, cecum
the cavity in which the large intestine begins and into which the ileum opens

ileocecal valve
valve between the ileum of the small intestine and the cecum of the large intestine; prevents material from flowing back from the large to the small intestine

frill
(paleontology) a bony plate that curves upward behind the skull of many ceratopsian dinosaurs

fauces
the passage between the back of the mouth and the pharynx

fistula, sinus
an abnormal passage leading from a suppurating cavity to the body surface

shunt
a passage by which a bodily fluid (especially blood) is diverted from one channel to another

tubular cavity
a cavity having the shape of a tube

armpit, axilla, axillary cavity, axillary fossa
the hollow under the arm where it is joined to the shoulder

chest cavity, thoracic cavity
the cavity in the vertebrate body enclosed by the ribs between the diaphragm and the neck and containing the lungs and heart

rib cage
the bony enclosing wall of the chest

areola
small space in a tissue or body part such as the area between veins on a leaf or an insect's wing

abdomen, abdominal cavity
the cavity containing the major viscera; in mammals it is separated from the thorax by the diaphragm

arch
a curved bony structure supporting or enclosing organs (especially the inner sides of the feet)

heel
the back part of the human foot

girdle
an encircling or ringlike structure

lamina
a thin plate or layer (especially of bone or mineral)

nail
horny plate covering and protecting part of the dorsal surface of the digits

column
any tubular or pillar-like supporting structure in the body

appendicular skeleton
the part of the skeleton that includes the pectoral girdle and the pelvic girdle and the upper and lower limbs

axial skeleton
the part of the skeleton that includes the skull and spinal column and sternum and ribs

back, backbone, rachis, spinal column, spine, vertebral column
the series of vertebrae forming the axis of the skeleton and protecting the spinal cord

costal cartilage
the cartilages that connect the sternum and the ends of the ribs; its elasticity allows the chest to move in respiration

metacarpus
the part of the hand between the carpus and phalanges

metatarsus
the skeleton of the human foot between the toes and the tarsus; the corresponding part of the foot in birds or of the hind foot in quadrupeds

tarsus
the part of the foot of a vertebrate between the metatarsus and the leg; in human beings the bones of the ankle and heel collectively

pelvis, renal pelvis
a structure shaped like a funnel in the outlet of the kidney into which urine is discharged before passing into the ureter

pelvic cavity
the space bounded by the bones of the pelvis and containing the pelvic viscera

celom, celoma, coelom
a cavity in the mesoderm of an embryo that gives rise in humans to the pleural cavity and pericardial cavity and peritoneal cavity

ruga
(anatomy) a fold or wrinkle or crease

tentorium
(anatomy) a fold of dura mater that covers the cerebellum and supports the occipital lobes of the cerebrum

zona pellucida
thick membrane around the mammalian ovum; can be penetrated by one sperm in the fertilization process; usually remains around the fertilized egg until it is implanted in the wall of the uterus

alpha receptor, alpha-adrenergic receptor, alpha-adrenoceptor
receptors postulated to exist on nerve cell membranes of the sympathetic nervous system in order to explain the specificity of certain agents that affect only some sympathetic activities (such as vasoconstriction and relaxation of intestinal muscles and contraction of smooth muscles)

beta receptor, beta-adrenergic receptor, beta-adrenoceptor
receptors postulated to exist on nerve cell membranes of the sympathetic nervous system in order to explain the specificity of certain agents that affect only some sympathetic activities (such as vasodilation and increased heart beat)

zonula, zonule
small beltlike zone

fossa, pit
a concavity in a surface (especially an anatomical depression)

type of:
body part
any part of an organism such as an organ or extremity
verb
give a structure to

“I need to structure my days”

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types:
reconstitute, restructure
construct or form anew or provide with a new structure

type of:
coordinate, organise, organize
bring order and organization to

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