superstructure

C2 Topic:Abstract Ideas

US /ˈsuːpɚˌstɹʌktʃɚ/ UK /ˈsuːpəˌstrʌktʃə/ See IPA manual

Freq #53232

Meanings

1

noun
a structure, system, or set of ideas built upon an underlying foundation or basis

The detailed legal code formed a superstructure resting on a few broad principles.
2

noun
the part of a building above its foundation, or the part of a ship above its main deck

The ship's steel superstructure rose several decks above the hull.
3

noun
in Marxist theory, the political, legal, and cultural institutions understood as arising from an economic base

The theorist argued that changes in production would eventually reshape the social superstructure.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · a structure, system, or set... upper structureoverlying structureframework

2 noun · the part of a building... upper worksupper structure

3 noun · in marxist theory, the... institutional orderideological structure

Opposites

foundation basesubstructure

Word family

Related forms structuresubstructureinfrastructureeconomic base

Etymology

Formed from super-, 'above,' and structure, from Latin structura, 'a fitting together or building.' The physical sense of something built above a base produced figurative uses for systems of institutions or ideas resting on deeper foundations.

Topics

Abstract Ideas

External links

# superstructure

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /ˈsuːpɚˌstɹʌktʃɚ/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈsuːpəˌstrʌktʃə/
**Frequency rank:** 53232

## Meanings
1. a structure, system, or set of ideas built upon an underlying foundation or basis
2. the part of a building above its foundation, or the part of a ship above its main deck
3. in Marxist theory, the political, legal, and cultural institutions understood as arising from an economic base

## Examples
- The detailed legal code formed a superstructure resting on a few broad principles.
- The ship's steel superstructure rose several decks above the hull.
- The theorist argued that changes in production would eventually reshape the social superstructure.

## Synonyms
- upper structure
- upper works
- framework

## Antonyms
- foundation
- base
- substructure

## Related Forms
- structure
- substructure
- infrastructure
- economic base

## Etymology
Formed from super-, 'above,' and structure, from Latin structura, 'a fitting together or building.' The physical sense of something built above a base produced figurative uses for systems of institutions or ideas resting on deeper foundations.

## Topics
- Abstract Ideas

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