understructure
English
Etymology
Pronunciation
Audio (US): (file)
Noun
understructure (plural understructures)
- The supporting structure underneath something, such as a vehicle or bridge.
- Antonym: superstructure
- Holonym: infrastructure (facilities sense)
- Near-synonyms: infrastructure (foundations sense), underpinnings
- 2008 January 22, Kirk Johnson, “Strength Renewed, a Grand Old Building Is Back”, in New York Times[1]:
- Four small suspension bridges, complete with towers and cables like those on the span across the East River, are now encased inside the Capitol’s subbasement understructure.