I. ˈärkəˌtekchər, ˈȧkəˌtekchə, -ksh- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle French, from Latin architectura, from architectus architect + -ura -ure — more at architect
1. : the art or science of building ; specifically : the art or practice of designing and building structures, especially habitable structures, in accordance with principles determined by aesthetic and practical or material considerations
2. : formation or construction whether the result of conscious act or of growth or of random disposition of the parts
architecture and function of the cerebral cortex
the fountains blow their architecture of slender pillars — Aldous Huxley
the careful architecture of Tom Jones in the innumerable subplots which give the book the proportions of life, the personal story of Jones taking its place in the general orchestration — Graham Greene
3. : the exercise or an instance of the exercise of the art or science of architecture
building must go beyond mere building for shelter to become architecture — T.E.Sanford
: architectural product : architectural work
the mansions which comprise the entire architecture of the Square — Blake Ehrlich
4. : a method or style of building characterized by certain peculiarities of structure or ornamentation
many other architectures besides Gothic — John Ruskin
II. noun
: the manner in which the components of a computer or computer system are organized and integrated