First published 1885; not yet revised More entries for architecture

architecturenoun

Etymology
Meaning & use
Pronunciation
Frequency
Compounds & derived words

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Factsheet

What does the noun architecture mean?

There are six meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun architecture. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

architecture has developed meanings and uses in subjects including

Entry status

OED is undergoing a continuous programme of revision to modernize and improve definitions. This entry has not yet been fully revised.

See meaning & use

How common is the noun architecture?

About 30occurrences per million words in modern written English

1750	4.7
1760	11
1770	9.6
1780	14
1790	13
1800	19
1810	20
1820	19
1830	21
1840	18
1850	18
1860	16
1870	18
1880	17
1890	17
1900	19
1910	16
1920	18
1930	18
1940	18
1950	18
1960	20
1970	19
1980	23
1990	30
2000	35
2010	35

See frequency

How is the noun architecture pronounced?

British English

/ˈɑːkᵻtɛktʃə/

AR-kuh-teck-chuh

U.S. English

/ˈɑrkəˌtɛk(t)ʃər/

AR-kuh-teck-chuhr

See pronunciation

Where does the noun architecture come from?

Earliest known use

mid 1500s

The earliest known use of the noun architecture is in the mid 1500s.

OED's earliest evidence for architecture is from 1563, in the writing of Shute.

architecture is a borrowing from French.

Etymons: French architecture.

See etymology

Nearby entries

architectonic, adj. & n.1645–
architectonical, adj.1595–
architectonically, adv.1850–
architector, n.1461–1702
architectress, n.1601–
architectural, adj.1762–
architecturalist, n.1861–
architecturalization, n.a1878–
architecturalize, v.a1878–
architecturally, adv.1843–
architecture, n.1563–
architecture, v.1838–
architemple, n.1297
architrave, n.1563–
architraved, adj.1664–
architricline, n.c1250–1493
architure, n.1594
archi-typographer, n.a1672–
archival, adj.1847–
archive, n.1603–
archive, v.1934–

Browse more nearby entries

Etymology

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Compounds & derived words

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Entry history for architecture, n.

architecture, n. was first published in 1885; not yet revised.

architecture, n. was last modified in September 2023.

Revision of the OED is a long-term project. Entries in oed.com which have not been revised may include:

corrections and revisions to definitions, pronunciation, etymology, headwords, variant spellings, quotations, and dates;
new senses, phrases, and quotations which have been added in subsequent print and online updates.

Revisions and additions of this kind were last incorporated into architecture, n. in September 2023.

Earlier versions of this entry were published in:

OED First Edition (1885)

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OED Second Edition (1989)

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View architecture, n. in OED Second Edition

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Chicago

Oxford English Dictionary, s.v. “,” , .

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MLA9

“” Oxford English Dictionary, Oxford UP, , .

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Citation details

Factsheet for architecture, n.

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Nearby entries

architectonic, adj. & n.1645–
architectonical, adj.1595–
architectonically, adv.1850–
architector, n.1461–1702
architectress, n.1601–
architectural, adj.1762–
architecturalist, n.1861–
architecturalization, n.a1878–
architecturalize, v.a1878–
architecturally, adv.1843–
architecture, n.1563–
architecture, v.1838–
architemple, n.1297
architrave, n.1563–
architraved, adj.1664–
architricline, n.c1250–1493
architure, n.1594
archi-typographer, n.a1672–
archival, adj.1847–
archive, n.1603–
archive, v.1934–

Browse more nearby entries