adj.
Pronunciation: ' str ə k-ch ə -r ə l, ' str ə k-shr ə l
Function: adjective
Date: circa 1827
1 : of or relating to the physical makeup of a plant or animal body < structural defects of the heart>
2 a : of, relating to, or affecting structure < structural stability> b : used in building structures < structural clay> c : involved in or caused by structure especially of the economy < structural unemployment>
3 : of, relating to, or resulting from the effects of folding or faulting of the earth's crust : TECTONIC
4 : concerned with or relating to structure rather than history or comparison < structural linguistics>
– struc · tur · al · ly adverb