Meaning & use
superstructure
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Meanings
nouncountable
The part of a building, ship, or other structure that is above the base or main deck.
Grammar: Countable: 'a superstructure', 'the superstructures'. Often used with 'of' to show what it belongs to.
Patterns
- the superstructure of a ship
- a steel superstructure
- build the superstructure
The bridge's superstructure rests on two massive concrete piers.
Workers painted the ship's superstructure before the voyage.
The building's superstructure is made of steel and glass.
nouncountablefigurative
A complex system or set of ideas built on a simpler base.
Grammar: Often used figuratively, especially in social and economic writing.
Patterns
- the superstructure of society
- an economic superstructure
- build a superstructure on something
The new laws created a legal superstructure on top of old customs.
Marx argued that the economic base shapes the social superstructure.
The company built a huge administrative superstructure around a small core of workers.
Word forms
| plural | superstructures |
|---|
Common combinations
- steel superstructure
- The steel superstructure was assembled in just three months.
- the superstructure of a ship
- The superstructure of the ship houses the bridge and cabins.
- economic superstructure
- The economic superstructure changed after the revolution.
- build a superstructure
- They built a superstructure of rules on a very simple idea.
Synonyms and how they differ
- framework
- Framework suggests a supporting skeleton; superstructure emphasizes what is built above the base.
- upper structure
- A plain descriptive phrase; superstructure is the usual technical term.
Opposites
Word family
- structure noun
- Something built, such as a building or bridge.
- structural adjective
- Relating to the way something is built or organized.
Commonly confused: superstructure or infrastructure?
superstructure vs infrastructure
Infrastructure means basic systems like roads and power; superstructure is the part built above a base.
Practice
After the hull was finished, the workers began the ______, adding the bridge and cabins.
Choose one answer.
'Superstructure' is the part above the main deck, which fits the bridge and cabins. 'Foundation' and 'substructure' are below, and 'infrastructure' refers to basic public systems.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “superstructure”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.