superstructure
/ˈsuːpəstrʌktʃə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · [sˈupɚstrˌʌktʃɚ] /ˈsuːpərstrʌktʃər/ (ame, ipa) · [sˈupɚstrˌʌktʃɚ] /ˈsü-pər-ˌstrək-chər How to pronounce superstructure (audio)/ (ame, mw)
superstructure — noun
- superstructuresingular
- superstructuresplural
1. the upper portion of a building that is constructed above ground level, includin
the upper portion of a building that is constructed above ground level, including its walls, roof, and upper floors
The earthquake damaged the superstructure of the old temple, but the stone foundation remained intact.
superstructure vs foundation — contrasting building parts
Engineers reinforced the building's superstructure with steel beams after the typhoon season.
collocation: reinforce the superstructure
Naoko noticed cracks in the apartment building's superstructure after the inspectors filed their report.
The shopping mall's superstructure used large windows to let natural light reach every floor.
- upper structure
a looser, less technical term for the parts of a building above ground
- upper works
chiefly British, used in engineering and naval contexts
- foundation
the supporting base below ground that the superstructure rests upon
- substructure
the underlying support system, opposite of what is built above it
文法句型
the superstructure of [something]
用法筆記
Frequently contrasted with 'foundation' or 'base'; the superstructure is everything above ground level that rests on the foundation.
常見錯誤
2. a section of a vessel that sits on its uppermost continuous deck, containing the
a section of a vessel that sits on its uppermost continuous deck, containing the bridge, navigation instruments, and crew living spaces
The ship's superstructure protected the crew from the waves crashing onto the deck.
superstructure of a ship — providing shelter above deck
The ferry's superstructure contains the captain's bridge, passenger cabins, and an observation lounge.
what a ship's superstructure contains
The fishing boat's superstructure was painted white to reflect the tropical sun.
Camille climbed up to the superstructure to check the radar equipment before departure.
- deckhouse
a smaller structure on deck, whereas superstructure covers the entire area above the main deck
- hull
the main body of the ship below the waterline
文法句型
the superstructure of [a ship/vessel]
[ship/vessel]'s superstructure
用法筆記
Distinguish from 'hull' — the hull is the main body of the ship below the waterline, whereas the superstructure sits above the main deck.
3. in social and political theory, the cultural institutions, belief systems, and l
in social and political theory, the cultural institutions, belief systems, and legal frameworks that arise from and reflect a society's underlying economic structure
Marx viewed laws and government as part of a superstructure resting on the economic base.
superstructure + economic base — Marxist terminology
The government's education policies reflect the superstructure of a society shaped by industrial capitalism.
abstract sense: superstructure of a society
Some scholars argue that changes in the superstructure eventually reshape the economic base itself.
Critics saw the censorship law as part of a superstructure that protects the wealthy.
- ideological framework
emphasises the belief systems and ideas within the superstructure
- institutional order
focuses on the formal organisations (law, government) rather than culture
- base
in Marxist theory, the economic foundation of a society that shapes the superstructure
- infrastructure
in modern usage, the basic physical systems needed for society to function, distinct from the institutional superstructure
文法句型
the superstructure of [a society]
用法筆記
This sense is grounded in Marxist theory, where the superstructure (law, politics, religion, culture) is seen as determined by the economic base (the mode of production and class relations).