English Reference

Word

structural element

Definition

compound. a part of a building or machine that helps it stay strong and hold weight. Common examples include beams, walls, and floors that keep the whole thing from falling down.

compound. a primary component of a physical system designed to resist loads and maintain the integrity of the overall assembly. In engineering, it refers to any part that contributes to the load-bearing capacity of a construction.

Examples

“The steel beam is a vital structural element of the bridge.”

“During the renovation, the architect warned that removing that specific wall would damage a key structural element of the house.”

“Modern skyscrapers rely on a central concrete core as the primary structural element to counteract the lateral forces exerted by high-altitude winds.”

Examples

simple

“The steel beam is a vital structural element of the bridge.”

contextual

“During the renovation, the architect warned that removing that specific wall would damage a key structural element of the house.”

complex

“Modern skyscrapers rely on a central concrete core as the primary structural element to counteract the lateral forces exerted by high-altitude winds.”

Usage

Often used in technical or architectural contexts to distinguish load-bearing parts from decorative ones.

Etymology

A compound formed from the Latin structuralis, relating to the manner of a construction, and elementum, denoting a first principle or constituent part.

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

Domain

Engineering

This entry

Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Updated

Scan code

englishreference.com/q/structural-element

English Reference