Definition of "architecture"

architecture

/ˈɑː.kɪ.ˌtɛk.tʃə/

noun
countable and uncountable, plural architectures
1. The art and science of designing and managing the construction of buildings and other structures, particularly if they are well proportioned and decorated.
  Quotations
  Architecture is the visual public expression of a culture’s achievements, values, and outlook.# The profession of an architect.
  April 21, 2017, Max Roscoe, How Your City Is Killing You With Ugliness
2. Any particular style of building design.
3. Construction, in a more general sense; frame or structure; workmanship.
  Quotations
  Our ſoules, whoſe faculties can comprehendThe wondrous Architecture of the world:And meaſure euery wandring planets courſe,Still climing after knowledge infinite, […]
  c. 1587–1588, [Christopher Marlowe], Tamburlaine the Great. […] The First Part […], 2nd edition, part 1, London: […] [R. Robinson for] Richard Iones, […], published 1592; reprinted as Tamburlaine the Great (A Scolar Press Facsimile), Menston, Yorkshire, London: Scolar Press, 1973, Act II, scene vii
  the architecture of grasses, plants, and trees
  1871, John Tyndall, Fragments of Science for Unscientific People
  the formation of the first Earth, after such a wonderful manner, being a piece of Divine Architecture
  1684-1690, Thomas Burnet, Sacred Theory of the Earth
4. A unifying structure.
5. (computing) A family of CPUs sharing a common instruction set and having partial or full compatibility with software built on each other.
6. (computing) A specific model of a microchip or CPU.
7. The structure and design of a system or product.
  Quotations
  The kernel runs the show, i.e. it manages all the operations in a Unix flavored environment. The kernel architecture must support the primary Unix requirements. These requirements fall in two categories namely, functions for process management and functions for file management (files include device files). Process management entails allocation of resources including CPU, memory, and offers services that processes may need. The file management in itself involves handling all the files required by processes, communication with device drives and regulating transmission of data to and from peripherals.
  2004, Prof P.C.P. Bhatt, (nptel.iitm.ac.in) Module 14: Unix Kernel Architecture