# infrastructure

/ˌɪnfɹəˈstɹəktʃɝ/ (US) · /ˈɪnfɹəstɹˌʌktʃɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/infrastructure
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. public systems and services

noun · CEFR B2 · Academic

the basic systems a country needs, like roads, bridges, water pipes, and electricity.

For teachers: the physical and organisational facilities, such as transport and communication networks, necessary for the functioning of a society.

- The government is spending more money to repair the city's aging infrastructure.
- Significant investment in public infrastructure, particularly high-speed rail and digital connectivity, is essential for long-term economic growth in the region.

Usage: Often used as an uncountable noun when referring to the general system of a country.

### 2. internal foundation

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic · Formal

the internal parts or foundation of a system or organization.

For teachers: the underlying base or framework of a system, organization, or building.

- The company needs to improve its IT infrastructure before it can hire more staff.
- The existing corporate infrastructure proved inadequate for the rapid scaling required by the new international merger.

Usage: Can be used countably to refer to specific technical or organizational setups.

## Examples

- The city needs to invest more money in its crumbling infrastructure.
- After the earthquake, the government focused on rebuilding the telecommunications infrastructure to restore contact with remote villages.
- A robust digital infrastructure is no longer a luxury but a prerequisite for economic competitiveness in a global market that relies on high-speed data transmission and cloud computing.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.