'structure-function' is a modern English compound formed by joining 'structure' and 'function', where 'structure' comes from Latin 'structura' and 'function' comes from Latin 'functio'.

'structure' entered English via Latin 'structura' (arrangement, building) and Old French; 'function' entered via Latin 'functio' (a performing, execution). The compound 'structure-function' is a twentieth-century technical formation combining the two nouns to denote their relationship.

Initially, 'structure' meant 'the act of building or arrangement' and 'function' meant 'a performance or duty'; over time the compound evolved to specifically denote the relationship between form and role (especially in scientific contexts).