power structure
Americannoun
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the system of authority or influence in government, politics, education, etc..
The state elections threatened to upset the existing power structure.
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the people who participate in such a system.
She hoped to become a part of the power structure.
noun
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the structure or distribution of power and authority in a community
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the people and groups who are part of such a structure
Etymology
Origin of power structure
First recorded in 1945–50
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
More practically, Ghalibaf is only one of the few Iranian leaders at the center of the power structure that is still alive.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026
In Steve McQueen’s dynamic crime thriller, Duvall plays a Chicago politician who has long been a part of the local power structure attempting to hand things off to his son.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 17, 2026
Writers, actors, directors, and studio execs harbor animosity for Netflix, which disrupted their business models and shook up the power structure of the industry incumbents.
From Barron's • Feb. 4, 2026
Within the current U.S. power structure, Baconi’s arguments are controversial.
From Slate • Nov. 9, 2025
Bill Harvey knew that for all the CIA's efforts, a big question hung over its attempts to look deep inside the Soviet power structure.
From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
