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architecture

n.
US //ˈɑɹkəˌtɛktʃɝ// UK //ˈɑːkɪtˌɛktʃɐ// ar·chi·tec·ture
  1. 1 designing buildings (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    the job or study of designing buildings and other large structures.

    the profession, study, or practice of designing and constructing buildings and other physical structures.

    Example

    She decided to study architecture because she loved drawing and math.

    Example

    Modern architecture often prioritizes sustainable materials and energy efficiency over purely aesthetic considerations.

    Usage

    uncountable in this general sense.
  2. 2 a style of building (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a particular style or way of designing buildings from a certain time or place.

    a specific style or method of building design characteristic of a period, place, or culture.

    Example

    The city is famous for its beautiful colonial architecture.

    Example

    The cathedral is a stunning example of Gothic architecture, featuring pointed arches and elaborate stone carvings.

    Usage

    can be countable or uncountable.
  3. 3 system structure (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Computing

    the way that the parts of a complex system or piece of software are organized.

    the fundamental organization of a system, embodied in its components and their relationships to each other.

    Example

    The new computer has a completely different architecture than the old model.

    Example

    The software's modular architecture allows developers to update individual components without compromising the stability of the entire platform.

    Usage

    often used to describe hardware or software frameworks.
Origin

Etymology tree Ancient Greek ἄρχω (árkhō) Ancient Greek ᾰ̓ρχῐ- (ărkhĭ-) Proto-Indo-European *teḱ- Proto-Indo-European *tetḱ- Proto-Indo-European *-ō Proto-Indo-European *tétḱō Proto-Hellenic *téktōn Ancient Greek τέκτων (téktōn) Ancient Greek ἀρχιτέκτων (arkhitéktōn)bor. Latin architectus Proto-Indo-European *-tew-? Proto-Indo-European *-r-eh₂? Latin -tūra Latin architectūralbor. French architecturebor. English architecture Borrowed from French architecture, from Latin architectūra. Originally from architect, from Ancient Greek ἀρχιτέκτων (arkhitéktōn, “architect”, literally “arch builder, ext. chief builder, principal craftsman”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

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Last updated June 19, 2026