infrastructure

American  

[in-fruh-struhk-cher] / ˈɪn frəˌstrʌk tʃər /

noun

1. the fundamental facilities and systems serving a country, city, or area, as transportation and communication systems, power plants, and schools.

   Investments in infrastructure helped the U.S. economy recover from the Great Depression.

2. the basic, underlying framework or features of a system or organization.

   Over the years, as the incidence of cancer increased, the infrastructure of the hospital was developed to accommodate the new cases.

   Synonyms:

   support, foundation, basis

3. the military installations of a country.

   We could do much with just a fraction of the billions spent to maintain our robust overseas infrastructure.

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infrastructure British  

/ ˈɪnfrəˌstrʌktʃə /

noun

1. the basic structure of an organization, system, etc

2. the stock of fixed capital equipment in a country, including factories, roads, schools, etc, considered as a determinant of economic growth

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• infrastructural
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of infrastructure

First recorded in 1925–30; infra + structure

Explanation

The infrastructure is the basic foundation or underlying framework of an organization or system. In your house, the infrastructure is the system of beams, weight-bearing walls and the foundation that keeps it standing. Infrastructure often refers to the equipment and structures required by the military or by a country or region. Roads, bridges, and school buildings are part of our nation's infrastructure, and are necessary for the continued growth of our communities. This word was formed as a compound in English, using the prefix infra- "below, underneath."

Example Sentences

Slaven said the VA “is building up crucial infrastructure required to handle an increased veteran population.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026

Broadcom said it will partner with Apollo Global Management and Blackstone’s credit and insurance business to launch a platform backed by an initial $35 billion to finance artificial-intelligence infrastructure.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026

Peter Krull, director of sustainable investing at Earth Equity Advisors, also likes the First Trust ETF, which is focused on the electric grid and grid infrastructure both in the U.S. and globally.

From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026

Raman hit Bass repeatedly on her record, saying the incumbent failed to act with urgency on repairs to streets, sidewalks and other infrastructure, production of new apartments and the exodus of Hollywood jobs.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026

Officials and lawmakers now had to balance any spending on science against other burgeoning demands—for social programs, highways, school buildings, and other physical infrastructure.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

Related Words

• base
• framework