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

The Path Forward As APIs become central to digital infrastructure, organizations must evaluate security vendors not only on their API security controls—such as discovery, posture governance and runtime protection—but also on their support for open API frameworks. —Michael Nicosia, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024

According to the Israeli military, the operation targeted Houthi infrastructure, including Sanaa's international airport, the ports of Hodeida, Al-Salif and Ras Qantib, as well as several power stations. —Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024

Israeli Air Force fighter jets conducted strikes on the Houthis infrastructure at Sana’a International Airport, the Hezyaz and Gas Kanatib power stations, and other military infrastructure in the Al Hudaydah, Salif, and Ras Kanatib ports on the west coast part of the country. —Mike Brest, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 26 Dec. 2024

By the end of the week, looking to literally clear the air, the F.A.A. announced a ban on drone use in airspace above critical infrastructure in more than 90 communities in New Jersey and New York. —Michael Wilson, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2024

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