Definition: Architecture

From New World Encyclopedia

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)

  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 New York City is amazing.
  2. Any particular style of building design.
  3. Construction, in a more general sense; frame or structure; workmanship.
  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.
    Many computers that run Microsoft Windows use the X86 and X64 architectures.
  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.
    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

Credits

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