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

Bobba asked: “Who would know about this part of the architecture?”

From Salon

It leans into fire resiliency while simultaneously creating an open, flowing architecture.

From Los Angeles Times

Nevertheless, his personality arc is somewhat constructed on problematic architecture.

From Salon

Or her Delhi architecture school days, when she was too broke for jewellery and wore "cow beads" - fat glass beads strung across cow horns, bought off herdsmen near the hostel.

From BBC

Their lot is similar to that of abused healthcare workers and public school teachers, other subjects served well by the mockumentary architecture that “The Office” refined into a workplace comedy standard.

From Salon

Related Words

• building 
• construction 
• engineering 
• planning