infrastructure

noun

Etymology: Borrowed from French infrastructure, equivalent to infra- + structure.

1. An underlying base or foundation for a building, organization, or system.

   “Near-synonyms: understructure, underpinnings, underbuilding, underframework”

   “The parasitic tyranny's infrastructure depends on secrecy in order to be effective.”

2. The facilities, services and installations needed for the functioning of a community or society.

   “Meronyms: (literally, large objects and portions thereof) structures, substructures, understructures, superstructures”

   “If we don't spend money to maintain our infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, water mains, sewers, and electrical grids, then it will begin to fail us.”