# structure

/ˈstɹəktʃɝ/ (US) · /stɹˈʌktʃɐ/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. a building

noun · CEFR A2

something that has been built, such as a house, bridge, or tower.

For teachers: a physical construction or building, often of considerable size or complexity.

- The ancient stone structure has stood on the hill for over five hundred years.
- Engineers inspected the steel structure of the bridge to ensure it could withstand the increased weight of modern heavy-rail traffic.

### 2. organization

noun · CEFR B1 · Academic

the way that the parts of something are arranged or put together.

For teachers: the arrangement of and relations between the parts or elements of something complex.

- The teacher helped the students plan the structure of their essays.
- The internal structure of the corporation was redesigned to facilitate better communication between the research and marketing departments.

### 3. data unit

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a group of different pieces of information treated as one single unit.

For teachers: a data type that groups together variables under one name; often used to represent a record.

- The programmer defined a new structure to store the user's name and age.
- Efficiently managing the data structure is critical for reducing the latency of the search algorithm during high-traffic periods.

### 4. fishing spot

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

objects under the water, like trees or rocks, where fish like to hide.

For teachers: submerged objects or terrain features that provide cover and attract fish populations.

- We caught several large bass hiding near the structure of the fallen tree.
- Experienced anglers often use sonar to locate underwater structure where predatory fish are likely to congregate during the warmer months.

### 5. to arrange

verb · CEFR B2 · Academic

to plan or organize something in a clear way.

For teachers: to give a definite and organized form to something; to arrange according to a plan.

- You should structure your day so you have time for both work and rest.
- The legal team worked through the night to structure the merger agreement in a way that satisfied the regulatory requirements of both countries.

## Examples

- The structure of the essay is easy to follow.
- The engineers inspected the steel structure to ensure it could withstand the upcoming hurricane.
- While the novel's plot is relatively simple, its narrative structure relies on shifting perspectives and non-linear timelines to build suspense.

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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.