microstructure

noun

mi·​cro·​struc·​ture ˈmī-krō-ˌstrək-chər 

: the microscopic structure of a material (such as a mineral or a biological cell)

microstructural

ˌmī-krō-ˈstrək-chə-rəl 

-ˈstrək-shrəl

adjective

Examples of microstructure in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That probably tells us something about market microstructure—the ability of broker-dealers to manage inventory of equity volatility and manage their client's demands around a period like that. —Steven Ehrlich, Forbes, 4 Sep. 2024

New alloys More recent introductions are alloys such as those using titanium and particularly niobium, which increase strength by stabilizing a metal’s microstructure. —John Johnson Jr., Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Aug. 2024

At the most basic level, the properties of steel are about microstructure: the arrangement of different types, or phases, of steel in the metal. —John Johnson Jr., Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Aug. 2024

Instead, the coating is made of liquid-like dynamic interfacial materials and a flexible microstructure measuring between 0.1 and 0.2 mm. —David Szondy, New Atlas, 18 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

microstructure

noun

mi·​cro·​struc·​ture ˈmī-krō-ˌstrək-chər 

: microscopic structure (as of a cell)

microstructural

ˌmī-krō-ˈstrək-chə-rəl, -ˈstrək-shrəl 

adjective