architecture

American  

[ahr-ki-tek-cher] / ˈɑr kɪˌtɛk tʃər /

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.

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architecture British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• architectural adjective
• architecturally adverb

Etymology

Origin of architecture

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

Explanation

Architecture is the process, or profession, of designing buildings and their environments. Architecture also refers to the product of this design and work. The root of the word architecture is the Greek arkhitekton ("master builder"), which makes sense because the ancient Greeks were very skilled at architecture — think of all those columns and stadiums and temples. The Parthenon, which was begun in 447 BC, is one of the greatest examples of architecture from Classical Greece.

Example Sentences

The harder reality is this: The sanctions architecture the U.S. spent decades building assumed financial isolation as a precondition for leverage.

From Barron's • Apr. 18, 2026

It is the most significant American museum built this century, and not merely because of its architecture.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

Our April issue is about the lived experience of the city and its architecture.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

“Careful restorations have maintained the historical architecture, while elevating the property to a level of epic glamour with all the modern luxuries of today,” adds the listing.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 17, 2026

“Not a lot, but I’ve been a few times. I like the architecture here. And there’s all this graffiti in one of the back alleys—it’s great for photos.”

From "Starfish" by Akemi Dawn Bowman

Related Words

• building
• construction
• engineering
• planning