structured
Americanadjective
adjective
-
having a distinct physical shape or form, often provided by an internal structure
-
planned in broad outline; organized
structured play for preschoolers
-
having a definite predetermined pattern; rigid
structured hierarchy
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of structured
Explanation
If you're happiest when your day is planned out, with lists of things to do, and a tightly-packed schedule, then you like living a structured life. When something is structured, it's arranged according to a specific plan. Structured is an adjective that comes from the noun structure, which is something that's been built or put together — usually, we think of a building being a structure. Anything that has been put together in an organized, deliberate way can be described as structured. Clothing designers sometimes call certain garments structured when they are carefully tailored and deliberately shaped (like a blazer), rather than loose and flowing (like a long, unfitted skirt).
Vocabulary lists containing structured
stru, struct (make, build)
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
stru, struct (make, build)
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
stru, struct (make, build)
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
A few arias punctuate the narrative, most notably the Señora offering her gift of tears and, later, Macaria’s troubled musing about how it has burdened her; they are structured with Puccini-esque swoops and climaxes.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026
Participants decided whether to join a structured exercise and diet-induced weight-loss program or remain in a non-exercise group.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 30, 2026
Beutner had structured Proposition 28 precisely to prevent this supplanting of funds.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 28, 2026
Valuations, sales and income differ dramatically, depending on how the small- or medium-sized business is structured.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 23, 2026
Another reason is that children’s songs are uniquely structured to make them easy to memorize while containing basic musical and cultural material; language and codes that we come to recognize in all of our songs.
From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin
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.
