structures
Frameworks and edifices
Structures are things that have been built or organized—buildings, bridges, frameworks, systems.
The word emphasizes how parts fit together: the structure of a sentence, corporate structure, bone structure.
To structure something is to arrange or organize it: Let me structure my thoughts before responding.
A structured environment has clear rules and organization; an unstructured one is loose or freeform.
Load-bearing vertical structures
- foundationUnderlying support structure
- load-bearingSustaining structural mass
- buttressArchitectural wall reinforcement
- shoringTemporary structural support
underpinning · anchorage · post · pier · piling · abutment · stanchion · bearing wall
Temporary exterior work platform
- trussesTriangulated load-bearing frames
- girdersHorizontal structural supports
- joistsHorizontal building beams
- beamsRays or supports
rafters · struts · bracing · reinforcement · lattice · chassis · skeleton · frame
Vertical structural element
- facadeDeceptive outward appearance
- architraveLowest entablature element
- corniceOrnamental upper trim
- pedimentTriangular architectural crowning element
pilaster · frieze · capital · keystone · balustrade · portico · dome · vault
Ranked authority structure
- frameworkUnderlying support system
- systemConnected parts forming whole
- arrangementOrdered configuration or agreement
- organizationStructured group with purpose
configuration · composition · formation · order · pattern · schema · blueprint · design
Basic biological units
- tissuesSoft disposable paper sheets
- organsFunctional body parts
- bonesRigid internal support structure
- cartilageFlexible connective body tissue
ligaments · tendons · membranes · cytoskeleton · double helix · protein folding · collagen · chitin
Multi-faced geometric solid
- tetrahedronFour-faced polyhedron
- latticeOpenwork of crossed strips
- crystalOrdered-atom solid
- prismLight-splitting optical element
octahedron · icosahedron · dodecahedron · tessellation · geodesic · fractal · helix · spiral
Large impressive building
- skyscraperVery tall urban building
- cathedralBishop's principal church
- bungalowOne-story house with porch
- apartmentRented unit in building
condominium · villa · castle · warehouse · greenhouse · hospital · library · mansion
pillars
Load-bearing vertical structures
- foundationUnderlying support structure
- load-bearingSustaining structural mass
- buttressArchitectural wall reinforcement
shoring · underpinning · anchorage · post · pier · piling · abutment · stanchion · bearing wall · footing
scaffolding
Temporary exterior work platform
- trussesTriangulated load-bearing frames
- girdersHorizontal structural supports
- joistsHorizontal building beams
beams · rafters · struts · bracing · reinforcement · lattice · chassis · skeleton · frame · grid
column
Vertical structural element
- facadeDeceptive outward appearance
- architraveLowest entablature element
- corniceOrnamental upper trim
pediment · pilaster · frieze · capital · keystone · balustrade · portico · dome · vault · buttress
hierarchy
Ranked authority structure
- frameworkUnderlying support system
- systemConnected parts forming whole
- arrangementOrdered configuration or agreement
organization · configuration · composition · formation · order · pattern · schema · blueprint · design · layout
cells
Basic biological units
cartilage · ligaments · tendons · membranes · cytoskeleton · double helix · protein folding · collagen · chitin · exoskeleton
polyhedron
Multi-faced geometric solid
- tetrahedronFour-faced polyhedron
- latticeOpenwork of crossed strips
- crystalOrdered-atom solid
prism · octahedron · icosahedron · dodecahedron · tessellation · geodesic · fractal · helix · spiral · torus
edifice
Large impressive building
- skyscraperVery tall urban building
- cathedralBishop's principal church
- bungalowOne-story house with porch
apartment · condominium · villa · castle · warehouse · greenhouse · hospital · library · mansion · pagoda
highways
Major intercity roads
- bridgesStructures spanning obstacles
- tunnelsUnderground hollow pathways
- sewersUnderground waste conduits
dams · aqueducts · roads · railways · airports · subways · power grid · pipelines · levees · overpasses
- groupingsgroups, categories, classes, divisions, clusters
- lays outarranges, organizes, displays, spreads, presents
- data organizationorganizing, cataloging, categorizing, sorting, grouping
- architectureEiffel Tower, buildings, architects, design, thatching
- engineeringengineers, civil engineering, engineering, electrical engineering, blueprint
- dissectionscalpel, cadaver, incision, forceps, specimen
structuresorganic forms
Shapes resembling living things
natural features · nature · wilderness · landforms · geological formations
structureschaos
Complete disorder and confusion
disorder · disorganization · randomness · entropy · formlessness
structuresfluidity
State of flowing freely
flux · impermanence · instability · transience · ruins
- command structureOrder-giving hierarchy
- cell structureArrangement of cellular components
- bone structureSkeletal anatomy and arrangement
- structural integrityWholeness under load
- structural collapseFramework giving way
- atomic structureInternal composition of atoms
structure, infrastructure, structured, structural, restructure, unstructured, structuring, restructuring, substructure