Structural Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

Architecture

• Structural design is critical in architecture, focusing on ensuring buildings can withstand forces like wind and earthquakes.
• The use of steel and reinforced concrete has transformed structural engineering, allowing for skyscrapers and large spans.
• Famous examples of structural art include the Eiffel Tower and the Sydney Opera House, which exemplify innovative designs.

Biology

• In biology, structural features such as the arrangement of cells can determine how well an organism functions.
• The structural integrity of proteins is essential, as their shape affects their role in biological processes.
• Ecological structures, like food webs, show how organisms are interconnected in an environment.

Linguistics

• Structural linguistics studies the underlying structures of language, focusing on phonetics, morphology, and syntax.
• Ferdinand de Saussure, a linguist, emphasized viewing language as a structure made of relationships rather than individual components.
• The structuralism movement influenced many fields, asserting that culture and phenomena could be understood through their structures.

Psychology

• Cognitive structures refer to the mental frameworks that help individuals organize and interpret information.
• In structural family therapy, the focus is on family dynamics and how their structure affects relationships.
• Knowledge structures in the brain are thought to connect new information with existing mental frameworks.

Main points about word origin

• The word originates from the Latin 'structura', meaning 'a fitting together or building'.
• It has roots in the verb 'struere', which means 'to build or arrange'.
• The term began to be widely used in English around the 19th century in both architecture and engineering.

The word 'structural' originates from the Latin word 'structura', meaning 'a fitting together, arrangement, building'. The concept of structure has been essential in various fields, from architecture and engineering to organizational management. Over time, 'structural' has evolved to encompass the fundamental framework and organization of various systems and entities.

See also: restructure, restructurer, restructuring, structurally, structured, structuring, substructure, unstructured.

At position #2,145, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.

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