Infrastructure
/ˈɪnfrəˌstrʌktʃər/
nounB2
Definition
Infrastructure is the collection of basic physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a society or enterprise. This includes things like roads, bridges, water supply, electricity, and communication systems that help people live and work.
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See It in Action
Basic physical systems and structures for a community or country
- •The government invested in new infrastructure to improve transportation.
- •Many cities need better infrastructure to handle growing populations.
- •Infrastructure like bridges and roads must be strong and safe.
Organizational systems that support an enterprise or activity
- •A company’s IT infrastructure includes computers and networks.
- •Good infrastructure is important for businesses to operate smoothly.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "infrastructure" like "buildings" (A1 word), but not just one building—it's all the important things that support a city or country working well
- ✓Picture a city map showing roads, bridges, power lines, and water pipes under the ground connecting everything
- ✓It's the feeling of safety and comfort when you turn on the light or drive on a smooth road without problems
- ✓Sounds like "IN-fruh-STRUCT-cher" → imagine a strong structure (like a building) that supports everything else around it
- ✓Think of a spider’s web that holds all parts together—without it, the web falls apart; infrastructure holds a city together
- ✓NOT like "house" (one building)—infrastructure is many systems working together to support many houses and people
- ✓NOT like "transportation" alone—transportation is part of infrastructure but infrastructure includes more like water and electricity
- ✓NOT like "decoration"—infrastructure is practical and necessary, not just for looks
Try Other Words
- •Facilities: buildings or equipment needed for a purpose (Use when talking about physical places or equipment)
- •Framework: basic structure underlying a system or concept (Use when emphasizing the supporting structure, often abstract)
- •Network: connected group or system (Use when focusing on connections, like roads or communication lines)
- •Foundation: base or support (Use when meaning the base on which something is built or developed)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "infra-" (below, under) + "structure" (something built)
- •Etymology: From Latin "infra" meaning "below" and "structure" meaning "building or arrangement"
- •Historical development: Originally used to describe physical structures built below or supporting others; later extended to mean all basic systems supporting a society
- •Modern usage: Used broadly for physical and organizational systems that support cities, countries, or organizations
Reflect & Connect
•How does good infrastructure affect your daily life and the community you live in?
•What would happen if a city had poor infrastructure? How would that change people’s experiences?
Fill in the blanks
1.The government spends money on infrastructure to ___ transportation and communication systems.
2.When infrastructure is old or broken, it can ___ problems like traffic jams or power outages.
3.Infrastructure includes roads, bridges, water supply, and other ___ systems.
4.A city with good infrastructure usually has ___ access to electricity and clean water.
5.Businesses need strong infrastructure to ___ their work without interruptions.
6.Unlike decorations, infrastructure is ___ for a city’s safety and function.
7.If infrastructure is not maintained, people might ___ difficulties in daily life.