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.

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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

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Etymology

Origin of power structure

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

In the early 1920s, Tojo joined other young officers to break the army’s old-school power structure.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 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

That is the question as Mexicans go to the polls Sunday to elect the country’s judges in a radical reshaping of the nation’s power structure.

From Los Angeles Times • May 31, 2025

Sing Sing’s Mutual Welfare League had quickly become the domain of gangs and cliques, Lawes said—an officially sanctioned Darwinian power structure.

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover

Related Words

• hierarchy
• ruling class