infrastructure
IN-fruh-struk-cher
/ˈɪnfrəˌstrʌktʃər/
The basic physical and organizational structures and facilities (e.g., buildings, roads, power supplies) needed for the operation of a society or enterprise.
Refers to the 'hidden' systems that allow a city to function, often taken for granted until they fail.
The story behind the word. The word was originally a French military term ('infrastructure') used to describe the preparation of a site for a railway or road before the actual tracks or pavement were laid.
Word relationships
- framework: A supporting structure; infrastructure is more specific to public services.
- foundation: The lowest load-bearing part of a building; infrastructure is the foundation of a whole city.
Commonly confused with
- superstructure: The parts of a building or system that are above the foundation or 'infra' level.
Word family
- infrastructural (adjective): Relating to infrastructure.
Collocations
- critical infrastructure
- transport infrastructure
- aging infrastructure
Example sentences
- "The government promised to invest billions in the nation's crumbling infrastructure." Discussing government spending.
- "Without adequate infrastructure, the city cannot support its growing population." A technical observation on urban growth.
Memory hook
Infra (below) + Structure. It's the structure below the surface of daily life. The city's skeleton.
When not to use
Don't use it to refer to a single building; use it for the system of buildings or services.
Fun facts
- The term didn't enter common English usage until the 1950s, largely popularized by the military and economists.
Related words
Also appears in
- Business → Industry & Manufacturing
- Nature → Urban Environmental Planning
- Demographics & Urban Studies → Urban Planning & Infrastructure Policy
- Demographics & Urban Studies → Civic Infrastructure & Utilities
- Demographics & Urban Studies → Smart Cities & Urban Tech
- Economic Theory & Analysis → Industrialization & Capitalism
- Economic Theory & Analysis → Development & Mixed Economies
- Engineering & Industrial Design → Civil Infrastructure
- Environmental Policy & Sustainability Economics → Water Scarcity & Management
- Environmental Policy & Sustainability Economics → Disaster Mitigation & Resilience
- Sports, Athletics & Recreation → Athletic Venues & Facilities
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