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tensegrity

American  
[ten-seg-ri-tee] / tɛnˈsɛg rɪ ti /

noun

Architecture.

  1. the property of skeleton structures that employ continuous tension members and discontinuous compression members in such a way that each member operates with the maximum efficiency and economy.

adjective

  1. noting any of a series of structures developed by R. Buckminster Fuller that embody this property.

Etymology

Origin of tensegrity

tens(ion) + (int)egrity

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.

Milam, who was honored by Forbes for her work in nested-tetrahedron tensegrity robots, built a new spacesuit helmet out of duct tape, a pool noodle, and Bubble Wrap.

From The New Yorker • Apr. 13, 2015

So far, no one has put the tensegrity mast to use, except as decoration.

From Time Magazine Archive

Divining that the compression and tension factors can be separated in any structure, he has designed a "tensegrity mast" that seems to be held up by nothing at all.

From Time Magazine Archive

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.