ar·chi·tec·ture (är'kĭ-tĕk'chər)

1 The art and science of designing and erecting buildings.
2 A style and method of design and construction.
3 Orderly arrangement of parts; structure.
4 As a process, architecture is the activity of designing and constructing buildings and other physical structures by a person or a machine, primarily to provide socially purposeful shelter.