structure

Structure refers to the arrangement and interrelations of parts that form a system. It describes how components are organized, connected, and layered to produce a coherent whole. Structures can be physical, such as a building’s frame; biological, such as tissue organization; or abstract, such as grammatical syntax or network topology.

In science and engineering, structure affects properties and behavior. In materials science, atomic or molecular structure influences strength and conductivity; in biology, the hierarchy from cells to organs determines form and function. Structures can be hierarchical, modular, or highly interconnected, with emergent properties arising from organization.

In architecture and civil engineering, the structural system is designed to bear loads and resist forces. Safety, durability, and efficiency depend on material choice, geometry, joints, and redundancy. Structural analysis uses models to predict response under real‑world conditions.

In information technology, data structures organize information to enable efficient storage, retrieval, and processing. Software architecture describes the arrangement of components and interfaces to support functionality, scalability, and maintainability.

In the social sciences, structure describes ordering patterns in organizations and societies, including hierarchies, networks, and institutions. In linguistics, sentence structure governs the arrangement of words and phrases to convey meaning. Across disciplines, studying structure helps explain how parts interact to produce behavior.