structural element
compound.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.
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.
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.
Often used in technical or architectural contexts to distinguish load-bearing parts from decorative ones.
Last updated July 22, 2026