engineering

noun

en·​gi·​neer·​ing ˌen-jə-ˈnir-iŋ How to pronounce engineering (audio)
1
: the activities or function of an engineer
2
a
: the application of science and mathematics by which the properties of matter and the sources of energy in nature are made useful to people
b
: the design and manufacture of complex products
software engineering
3
: calculated manipulation or direction (as of behavior)
social engineering
compare genetic engineering

Examples of engineering in a Sentence

This control panel is a good example of smart engineering.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
At its June 2025 investor conference, Seagate announced that engineering samples of 40 TB HAMR drives (10×4 TB platters) have already been delivered, with mass production anticipated in the first half of FY 2026. Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025 Because of engineering challenges as well as diplomatic ones, this is the first time P-band radar has been used in orbital Earth observations—the P-band radio frequency is typically reserved for American and European missile-detection systems. Emma R. Hasson, Scientific American, 1 July 2025 First revealed by French President Emmanuel Macron’s administration at the 2025 Choose France Summit, it will be supported by national, regional and European Union incentives as well as by engineering partners including Worley, GEA and Andritz. Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 1 July 2025 The company is looking to fill research and development, engineering and supply chain positions at the Kentucky plant, openings for which it's already started posting on its careers site. Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 30 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for engineering

Word History

First Known Use

1697, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of engineering was in 1697

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Engineering.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/engineering. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

engineering

noun
en·​gi·​neer·​ing ˌen-jə-ˈni(ə)r-iŋ How to pronounce engineering (audio)
: the science or profession of developing and using nature's power and resources in ways that are useful to people (as in designing and building roads, bridges, dams, or machines and in creating new products)
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!