architecture

UK: /ˈɑː^rkɪtɛktʃə^r/ US: /ˈɑrkɪˌtɛktʃɚ/ ,(är′ki tek′chər)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

ar•chi•tec•ture /ˈɑrkɪˌtɛktʃɚ/   n. [uncountable]

1. Architecture the profession of designing buildings.
2. Architecture the character or style of building:
   Romanesque architecture.
3. the structure or design of something:
   the architecture of a novel.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

ar•chi•tec•ture  (är′ki tek′chər), n. 

1. Architecture the profession of designing buildings, open areas, communities, and other artificial constructions and environments, usually with some regard to aesthetic effect. Architecture often includes design or selection of furnishings and decorations, supervision of construction work, and the examination, restoration, or remodeling of existing buildings.
2. Architecture the character or style of building:
   the architecture of Paris; Romanesque architecture.
3. Architecture the action or process of building;
   construction.
4. Architecture the result or product of architectural work, as a building.
5. Architecture buildings collectively.
6. Computing a fundamental underlying design of computer hardware, software, or both.
7. the structure of anything:
   the architecture of a novel.

• Latin architectūra. See architect, -ure
• Middle French)
• (1555–65

architecture, +n. 

1. Computing a fundamental underlying design of computer hardware, software, or both.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

architecture / ˈɑːkɪˌtɛktʃə/ noun

1. the art and science of designing and superintending the erection of buildings and similar structures
2. a style of building or structure: Gothic architecture
3. buildings or structures collectively
4. the structure or design of anything

ˌarchiˈtectural adjective