structural

adjective

struc·​tur·​al ˈstrək-chə-rəl 

ˈstrək-shrəl

1

: of or relating to the physical makeup of a plant or animal body

structural defects of the heart

2

a

: of, relating to, or affecting structure

structural stability

b

: used in building structures

structural clay

c

: involved in or caused by structure especially of the economy

structural unemployment

3

: of, relating to, or resulting from the effects of folding or faulting of the earth's crust : tectonic

4

: concerned with or relating to structure rather than history or comparison

structural linguistics

structurally adverb

Examples of structural in a Sentence

The house suffered no structural damage.

Recent Examples on the Web

The first gloss, offered by the Democrats, was that this had been a power play on the part of the Tesla boss, who has an ambiguous structural role in Trump’s administrative coalition but a pivotal and symbolic one. —Benjamin Wallace-Wells, The New Yorker, 21 Dec. 2024

In this context, Flick has to deal with the structural absence of Yamal in one of the most delicate moments of the season. —Laia Cervelló Herrero, The Athletic, 21 Dec. 2024

With the suspect now in custody, Tisch is correctly turning her attention to more structural matters, boosting better and smarter management. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 21 Dec. 2024

But make sure that your organization's structural design is tailored to its specific needs and goals. —Mustafa Shreet, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing structural

• structural formula
• structural gene
• structural isomer
• structural racism
• structural steel

Kids Definition

structural

adjective

struc·​tur·​al ˈstrək-chə-rəl 

ˈstrək-shrəl

1

: of, relating to, or affecting structure

structural weaknesses

2

: used or formed for use in construction

structural steel

structurally

-ē

adverb

Medical Definition

structural

adjective

struc·​tur·​al ˈstrək-chə-rəl, ˈstrək-shrəl 

1

: of or relating to the physical makeup of a plant or animal body

structural defects of the heart

compare functional sense 1a

2

: of, relating to, or affecting structure

structural stability

structurally

-ē 

adverb