surface structure

American  

noun

Linguistics.

1. a structural representation of the final syntactic form of a sentence, as it exists after the transformational component has modified a deep structure.

2. the string of words that is actually produced.

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surface structure British  

noun

1. generative grammar a representation of a string of words or morphemes as they occur in a sentence, together with labels and brackets that represent syntactic structure Compare deep structure

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Etymology

Origin of surface structure

First recorded in 1960–65

Compare meaning

How does surface-structure compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• deep structure vs. surface structure

Example Sentences

"There's been no clear understanding of the surface structure of tungsten carbide because it's really difficult to measure the catalytic surface inside the chambers where these chemical reactions take place," she says.

From Science Daily • Jan. 24, 2026

Reef life thrives on hyperbolism, so to speak; the curvy surface structure of coral maximizes nutrient intake, and nudibranchs propel through water with frilly flanges.

From New York Times • Jan. 15, 2024

The surface structure of virions can be observed by both scanning and transmission electron microscopy, whereas the internal structures of the virus can only be observed in images from a transmission electron microscope.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

The country already has an orbiter and rover on the way to Mars, known as Tianwen-1, which will study the chemical makeup, magnetic field, and surface structure of the red planet.

From National Geographic • Dec. 16, 2020

Scapulohumeral arthritis may result then from infections, local or metastatic; from injuries, such as contusions of various kinds; from wounds, which break the surface structure or perforate the joint capsule; or from luxations.

From Lameness of the Horse Veterinary Practitioners' Series, No. 1 by Lacroix, John Victor