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Synonyms

power structure

American  

noun

  1. the system of authority or influence in government, politics, education, etc..

    The state elections threatened to upset the existing power structure.

  2. the people who participate in such a system.

    She hoped to become a part of the power structure.


power structure British  

noun

  1. the structure or distribution of power and authority in a community

  2. the people and groups who are part of such a structure

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.

Although he hasn’t held any official post for five years, Raúl Castro is the patriarch of Cuba’s opaque power structure.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

The suspects, said NABU, had created a parallel power structure inside the state enterprise overseeing Ukraine's nuclear power plants, which supply half of the country's energy.

From Barron's • Nov. 13, 2025

Within the current U.S. power structure, Baconi’s arguments are controversial.

From Slate • Nov. 9, 2025

In "Fruitvale Station," Mr. Coogler exposed viewers to a portrait of Black male humanity counter to the picture displayed by the power structure culpable in the death of the Black male body.

From Salon • Apr. 28, 2025

Scythe Faraday had told them enough about the power structure of the Scythedom for Rowan to know that much.

From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman