superstructure

noun
UK: /ˌsuː.pəˈstrʌk.tʃər/
US: /ˌsuː.pɚˈstrʌk.tʃɚ/

  1. The part of a building or other structure that is above the ground or some other base level.

    1. The ship's superstructure was damaged by the storm.
    2. The tower's superstructure needed reinforcing due to years of weathering, threatening its stability.

  2. Something built on top of something else; an elaborate structure or complex system built upon a more basic one.

    1. The legal system is a superstructure built on laws.
    2. The academic's complex theory was seen as a superstructure lacking a solid foundation, inviting scrutiny.

Synonyms

foundation base infrastructure shell framework

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "superstructure" in English means: The part of a building or other structure that is above the ground or some other base level., Something built on top of something else; an elaborate structure or complex system built upon a more basic one..

The phonetic transcription of "superstructure" is /ˌsuː.pəˈstrʌk.tʃər/ in British English and /ˌsuː.pɚˈstrʌk.tʃɚ/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "superstructure": foundation, base, infrastructure, shell, framework.

Example usage of "superstructure": "The ship's superstructure was damaged by the storm.". More examples on the page.