A structure is an arrangement and organization of interrelated parts or elements within a material object or system, or the object or system so organized
. It can be a physical entity like buildings, bridges, machines, or natural objects such as biological organisms and minerals, as well as abstract systems like data structures in computer science or musical forms
. Structures are designed to be strong, stable, and sturdy, often to bear loads and resist forces without breaking or collapsing
. They can be classified by their components and design into types such as frame structures (made of parts joined together) and shell structures (with a thin, curved outer layer)
. Structures may also be categorized by their load-bearing elements, like beams, arches, or shells, and by the way these elements are combined into systems such as frames, trusses, or cable structures
. In engineering, structures are analyzed to ensure they can withstand external loads, and structural engineers specialize in designing and assessing these systems to be efficient and stable
. Structures exist at many scales and can be found everywhere—from the microscopic arrangement of collagen fibrils in bones to large-scale human-made constructions like dams and towers
. In summary, a structure is any system or object composed of interconnected parts arranged in a specific way to serve a function, often related to support, stability, or organization
