infrastructure

noun

in·​fra·​struc·​ture ˈin-frə-ˌstrək-chər 

-(ˌ)frä-

1

: the system of public works of a country, state, or region

also : the resources (such as personnel, buildings, or equipment) required for an activity

2

: the underlying foundation or basic framework (as of a system or organization)

3

: the permanent installations required for military purposes

infrastructural

ˈin-frə-ˌstrək-chə-rəl  -ˌstrək-shrəl 

-(ˌ)frä-

adjective

Did you know?

Infra- means "below;" so the infrastructure is the "underlying structure" of a country and its economy, the fixed installations that it needs in order to function. These include roads, bridges, dams, the water and sewer systems, railways and subways, airports, and harbors. These are generally government-built and publicly owned. Some people also speak about such things as the intellectual infrastructure or the infrastructure of science research, but the meaning of such notions can be extremely vague.

Synonyms

• architecture
• armature
• cadre
• configuration
• edifice
• fabric
• frame
• framework
• framing
• shell
• skeleton
• structure

Examples of infrastructure in a Sentence

More money is needed to save the crumbling infrastructure of the nation's rural areas.

We need to spend more money on maintaining and repairing infrastructure.

Recent Examples on the Web

For instance, challenges remain in developing the charging infrastructure needed to support the growing number of EVs on U.S. roadways. —Mark Maynard, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Feb. 2025

Obviously, this process will require a lot of infrastructure, like harvesters, separators, high-temperature reaction chambers, and more. —John Timmer, Ars Technica, 17 Feb. 2025

The township received a $500,000 federal grant for infrastructure, and the center is expected to open in June with pickleball and space for seniors to play Bingo or practice yoga, Balich said. —Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2025

According to one air traffic controller who spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity, the firings affected several hundred workers responsible for maintaining FAA radar, landing systems, and navigational aids, which are critical infrastructure for aviation safety. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 17 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

infrastructure

noun

in·​fra·​struc·​ture ˈin-frə-ˌstrək-chər 

1

: the underlying foundation or basic framework (as of a system or organization)

2

: the system of public works of a country, state, or region

also : the resources (as people, buildings, or equipment) required for an activity