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

The famous abode, originally built in 1959 with late modernist architecture, was renovated decades after “The Brady Bunch” ended in 1974.

From Los Angeles Times

Still, by embedding Pakistan in the security architecture of the Middle East, the deal "checkmates India" and leaves its neighbour anchored to three patrons - China, Turkey and now Saudi Arabia, Mr Kugelman said.

From BBC

The Carbuncle Awards, run by architecture magazine Urban Realm, were inspired by a scathing comment about modern building design made by King Charles back in the 1980s.

From BBC

“Our ancestors built the cities they produced, the art and architecture they built. The industry.”

From Los Angeles Times

It’s about exploring and being curious towards the invisible architecture of resonance.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• building 
• construction 
• engineering 
• planning