architecture definition

English architecture definition

Etymology

Borrowed from French architecture, from Latin architectūra. Originally from architect, from Ancient Greek ἀρχιτέκτων (arkhitéktōn, “architect”, literally “chief builder, principal craftsman”).

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈɑː.kɪ.ˌtɛk.tʃə/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈɑɹkɪtɛkt͡ʃɚ/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Hyphenation: ar‧chi‧tec‧ture

Noun

architecture (countable and uncountable, plural architectures)

1. The art and science of designing and managing the construction of buildings and other structures, particularly if they are well proportioned and decorated.

   The architecture throughout NYC is amazing.

   • April 21, 2017, Max Roscoe, How Your City Is Killing You With Ugliness[1]

     Architecture is the visual public expression of a culture’s achievements, values, and outlook.# The profession of an architect.

2. Any particular style of building design.
3. Construction, in a more general sense; frame or structure; workmanship.
   • c. 1587–1588, [Christopher Marlowe], Tamburlaine the Great. […] The First Part […], 2nd edition, part 1, London: […] [R. Robinson for] Richard Iones, […], published 1592, →OCLC; reprinted as Tamburlaine the Great (A Scolar Press Facsimile), Menston, Yorkshire, London: Scolar Press, 1973, →ISBN, Act II, scene vii:

     Our ſoules, whoſe faculties can comprehend
     The wondrous Architecture of the world:
     And meaſure euery wandring planets courſe,
     Still climing after knowledge infinite, […]

   • 1871, John Tyndall, Fragments of Science for Unscientific People:

     the architecture of grasses, plants, and trees

   • 1684-1690, Thomas Burnet, Sacred Theory of the Earth

     the formation of the first Earth, after such a wonderful manner, being a piece of Divine Architecture

4. A unifying structure.
5. (computing) A family of CPUs sharing a common instruction set and having partial or full compatibility with software built on each other.
6. (computing) A specific model of a microchip or CPU.

   The Intel architectures have more software written for them.

7. The structure and design of a system or product.
   • 2004, Prof P.C.P. Bhatt, (nptel.iitm.ac.in) Module 14: Unix Kernel Architecture

     The kernel runs the show, i.e. it manages all the operations in a Unix flavored environment. The kernel architecture must support the primary Unix requirements. These requirements fall in two categories namely, functions for process management and functions for file management (files include device files). Process management entails allocation of resources including CPU, memory, and offers services that processes may need. The file management in itself involves handling all the files required by processes, communication with device drives and regulating transmission of data to and from peripherals.

   The architecture of the company's billing system is designed to support its business goals.

Hyponyms

Related terms

Translations

See also

Appendix:Glossary of architecture

French architecture definition

Etymology

From Latin architectūra.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /aʁ.ʃi.tɛk.tyʁ/

• Audio

  (file)

Noun

architecture f (plural architectures)

1. architecture

Related terms

Descendants

• → Dutch: architectuur
  • Afrikaans: argitektuur
  • → Indonesian: arsitektur

Further reading

• “architecture”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.