The conformational arrangement (α-helix, β-pleated sheet, etc.) of the backbone segments of a macromolecule such as a polypeptide chain of a protein without regard to the conformation of the side chains or the relationship to other segments.
See also: primary structure, tertiary structure, quaternary structure
Source:
PAC, 1996, 68, 2193. 'Basic terminology of stereochemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1996)' on page 2218 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199668122193)