nonstructural

adjective

non·​struc·​tur·​al ˌnän-ˈstrək-chə-rəl 

-ˈstrək-shrəl

1

: not part of a structure : not relating to, affecting, or contributing to the structure of something

free-standing panels and other nonstructural elements

nonstructural movable parts

2

of a viral protein : expressed in an infected cell but not incorporated into the virion particle

nonstructural proteins

Examples of nonstructural in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Uniqlo plans to construct new nonstructural walls, lighting and restrooms. —Alexis Simmerman, Austin American-Statesman, 13 Feb. 2024

Shaking from the 1952 earthquake was felt as far away as San Francisco and Las Vegas, and caused nonstructural but extensive building damage to tall buildings in the Los Angeles area and damage to at least one building in San Diego, according to the USGS. —Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2024

There are two variations of the 203(k) loan: the standard version, used for financing substantial remodeling and repairs, and the limited version, for minor remodeling and nonstructural repairs. —Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 23 July 2024

Sublime’s formula was recently used in a nonstructural part of the ground floor in a building in Boston. —Cameron Pugh, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 Mar. 2024

The fact that there was minimal impact to nonstructural parts of the building, such as staircases and facades, is also significant, according to Pei. —Todd Woody, Anchorage Daily News, 12 June 2023

Students at the Winter Hill Community Innovation School in Somerville will attend classes in alternative locations for the rest of the school year as officials determine what repairs are needed after a nonstructural piece of concrete fell in a stairwell last week, officials said Monday. —Emily Sweeney, BostonGlobe.com, 5 June 2023

But mortar and concrete for nonstructural components, like non-load-bearing wall partitions and low-impact floor pavers, could tolerate having up to 40 percent of their aggregates swapped for diaper material. —Diana Gitig, Ars Technica, 21 May 2023

The 29 proteins come in three main categories: structural proteins that make up the outer coat; nonstructural proteins (NSPs), most of which help the virus replicate; and accessory proteins, several of which appear to subdue the host’s immune response. —Robert F. Service, Science | AAAS, 11 Mar. 2021

Word History

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for nonstructural

• infrastructural
• microstructural
• ultrastructural
• structural