Definition: Architecture
Etymology
Borrowed from French architecture, from Latin architectūra. Originally from architect, from Ancient Greek ἀρχιτέκτων or arkhitéktōn (architect), literally “chief builder, principal craftsman.”
Noun
architecture (countable and uncountable, plural architectures)
- 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 New York City is amazing.
- Any particular style of building design.
- Construction, in a more general sense; frame or structure; workmanship.
- A unifying structure.
- (computing) A family of CPUs sharing a common instruction set and having partial or full compatibility with software built on each other.
- Many computers that run Microsoft Windows use the X86 and X64 architectures.
- (computing) A specific model of a microchip or CPU.
- The Intel architectures have more software written for them.
- The structure and design of a system or product.
- The architecture of the company's billing system is designed to support its business goals.
Derived terms
- computer architecture
- enterprise architecture
- microarchitecture
- software architecture
Related terms
- architect
- architectural
Credits
New World Encyclopedia writers and editors copied and adjusted this Wiktionary entry in accordance with NWE standards. This article abides by terms of the Creative Commons CC-by-sa 3.0 License (CC-by-sa), which may be used and disseminated with proper attribution. Credit for this article is due to both New World Encyclopedia contributors and the selfless volunteer contributors of the Wikimedia Foundation. To cite this article click here for a list acceptable citing formats.The history of earlier contributions at Wiktionary is accessible to researchers here:
