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.

---

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

---

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

Writing in Air Mail, the Pulitzer-winning architecture critic Paul Goldberger called both designs “a desecration” of “the high aims of classical architecture.”

From Slate • May 18, 2026

Dagy, a 21-year-old architecture student, originally from Poland, says social media has worsened divisions in society by making people "lose empathy for others".

From BBC • May 17, 2026

It showed up in articles by Christian religious leaders and color photographs of Christian art and architecture published in fashion magazines.

From Salon • May 17, 2026

That whole architecture was built for a labor market in which laid-off professionals found equivalent work in a few months.

From MarketWatch • May 15, 2026

For archaeologists and historians, these images are among the most valuable sources of information about architectural styles and the development of architecture over time.

From "Shipwrecked!" by Martin W. Sandler

Related Words

• building
• construction
• engineering
• planning