framework

American  

[freym-wurk] / ˈfreɪmˌwɜrk /

noun

• frameworks
  plural

1. a basic structure, plan, or system, as of concepts, values, customs, or rules: The empire foundered, leaving its people in anarchy and lawlessness, as the framework of their society and culture collapsed around them.

   The bill, if passed, will provide a legal framework for privacy and data protection.

   The empire foundered, leaving its people in anarchy and lawlessness, as the framework of their society and culture collapsed around them.

2. a skeletal structure designed to support or enclose something.

3. a frame or structure composed of parts fitted and joined together.

4. the construction of frames.

5. work done in, on, or with a frame.

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framework British  

/ ˈfreɪmˌwɜːk /

noun

1. a structural plan or basis of a project

2. a structure or frame supporting or containing something

3. frames collectively

4. work such as embroidery or weaving done in or on a frame

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• underframework
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• frameworks
  plural

Etymology

Origin of framework

First recorded in 1635–45; frame + work

Explanation

Framework refers to the initial structure of a building. If you ever wanted to walk through walls, you can get your chance when a new house has just the framework done, because the house will have walls with openings for windows and doors but no plaster or siding. From the literal meaning of framework — the initial structure of a building — English added figurative meanings. The noun framework, for example, can be any underlying structure something is built on, so you will see examples like: a framework for solving the problem, a framework for the computer program, and a framework for a new relationship.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

framework frameworks

On Friday, a group of independent AI evaluation organizations called the AI Evaluator Forum published a public letter outlining a general framework for embedded evaluators.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 19, 2026

But after sitting on its application for over two years, the RBI rejected the company's bid to get out of the framework earlier this month, pushing the group closer to a stock market debut.

From BBC ● Sep. 18, 2026

Still, agency-led regulation, rather than a Congress-led market-structure framework, won’t change the direction of travel for the crypto industry, said Geoff Kendrick, head of digital assets research at Standard Chartered.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026

His proudest contribution was creating the framework for the union’s first medical plan.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 18, 2026

A heavy timber framework was constructed in the north tower.

From "Cathedral: The Story of Its Construction" by David Macaulay

At the time, Woods said Venezuela appeared to be “uninvestable” without significant changes to the country’s commercial frameworks, legal system and hydrocarbon laws.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 2026

"I don't want to say there's not enough regulation, because in Europe we regulate a lot, and I think more frameworks should be introduced to prevent abuse, or us losing control over it."

From Barron's ● Sep. 15, 2026

Modern physics rests on two remarkably successful frameworks.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 8, 2026

“Differences in legal frameworks, cyber capability, resilience and recovery capacity across jurisdictions could therefore have consequences well beyond the jurisdiction in which an incident originates and may themselves become a source of vulnerability,” Bailey wrote.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 31, 2026

Pedagogically Sound: Including multiple perspectives and views on material not only enriches the curriculum content, but also provides radically different frameworks and paradigms to students on content.

From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin

Related Words

• groundwork
• plan
• scheme
• structure