infrastructure

American  

[in-fruh-struhk-cher] / ˈɪn frəˌstrʌk tʃər /

noun

1. the fundamental facilities and systems serving a country, city, or area, as transportation and communication systems, power plants, and schools.

   Investments in infrastructure helped the U.S. economy recover from the Great Depression.

2. the basic, underlying framework or features of a system or organization.

   Over the years, as the incidence of cancer increased, the infrastructure of the hospital was developed to accommodate the new cases.

   Synonyms:

   support, foundation, basis

3. the military installations of a country.

   We could do much with just a fraction of the billions spent to maintain our robust overseas infrastructure.

---

infrastructure British  

/ ˈɪnfrəˌstrʌktʃə /

noun

1. the basic structure of an organization, system, etc

2. the stock of fixed capital equipment in a country, including factories, roads, schools, etc, considered as a determinant of economic growth

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• infrastructural
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of infrastructure

First recorded in 1925–30; infra + structure

Explanation

The infrastructure is the basic foundation or underlying framework of an organization or system. In your house, the infrastructure is the system of beams, weight-bearing walls and the foundation that keeps it standing. Infrastructure often refers to the equipment and structures required by the military or by a country or region. Roads, bridges, and school buildings are part of our nation's infrastructure, and are necessary for the continued growth of our communities. This word was formed as a compound in English, using the prefix infra- "below, underneath."

Example Sentences

Slaven said the VA “is building up crucial infrastructure required to handle an increased veteran population.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026

“The race to build AI infrastructure has created urgent demand for providers who can deliver at speed without sacrificing reliability,” says Ross Laser, Magnetar’s president and co-founder.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026

The huge capital expenditures in artificial intelligence that are powering the data-center boom are flowing through to the adjacent infrastructure sectors of energy or utilities.

From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026

Raman hit Bass repeatedly on her record, saying the incumbent failed to act with urgency on repairs to streets, sidewalks and other infrastructure, production of new apartments and the exodus of Hollywood jobs.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026

He highlights the damage done to key infrastructure in various districts, and as he speaks, parts of the map light up, showing images of the destruction.

From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins

Related Words

• base
• framework