superstructure noun

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/ˈsuː.pəˌstrʌk.tʃər/

/-pɚˌstrʌk.tʃɚ/ n [C]

Definition

•

(of a building) the part above the ground

The foundations are finished and work has now begun on building the superstructure of the new library.

•

(of a ship) the part above the main deck

•

the ideas and systems of a society or organization which develop from more basic ideas and systems

According to Marxist theory, a society's superstructure is its legal, social, cultural and political institutions, which are based on its economic systems.

(Definition of superstructure noun from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

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Topic: Parts of buildings in general

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