architecture

[ahr-ki-tek-cher]

noun

1. the profession of designing buildings, open areas, communities, and other artificial constructions and environments, usually with some regard to aesthetic effect. Architecture often includes design or selection of furnishings and decorations, supervision of construction work, and the examination, restoration, or remodeling of existing buildings.

2. the character or style of building.

   the architecture of Paris; Romanesque architecture.

3. the action or process of building; construction.

4. the result or product of architectural work, as a building.

5. buildings collectively.

6. Computers.,  a fundamental underlying design of computer hardware, software, or both.

7. the structure of anything.

   the architecture of a novel.

architecture

/ ˈɑːkɪˌtɛktʃə /

noun

1. the art and science of designing and superintending the erection of buildings and similar structures

2. a style of building or structure

   Gothic architecture

3. buildings or structures collectively

4. the structure or design of anything

   the architecture of the universe

5. the internal organization of a computer's components with particular reference to the way in which data is transmitted

6. the arrangement of the various devices in a complete computer system or network

Other Word Forms

• architectural adjective
• architecturally adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of architecture¹

First recorded in 1555–65; from Middle French, from Latin architectūra; architect, -ure

Example Sentences

Keaton was a patron of the L.A. arts scene and also gained note as a champion of architecture preservation, remaking grand homes across the region.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The economics prize wraps up this year's Nobel season which honoured research into the human immune system, practical applications of quantum mechanics and the development of new forms of molecular architecture.

Read more on Barron's

The shopkeeper said the design was "too bright and it doesn't go with the architecture".

Read more on BBC

"Moving forward, these lantern units can be assembled into 2D and 3D architectures for broad applications in shape-morphing mechanical metamaterials and robotics," says Yin.

Read more on Science Daily

Venetian architecture seems to have inspired a particular kind of structure in Monet.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• building 
• construction 
• engineering 
• planning