engineering

noun

en·​gi·​neer·​ing ˌen-jə-ˈnir-iŋ 

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

But there was the obvious challenge of how a high school dropout could compete with candidates from Ivy League schools and top engineering programs. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 29 Mar. 2026

This is a brand new field and this is a young scientist who, at that time, had just begun her program in engineering and had this creative idea of possibly using dead organisms as robots, creating an entirely new field of necrobotics. —Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026

From swirling photons to next-gen tech This work shows that complex light structures don’t always require complex engineering. —Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 29 Mar. 2026

According to Sun Lichao, an assistant professor of computer science and engineering at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania, the rapid uptake of OpenClaw in China will also likely contribute to a faster displacement of white-collar jobs. —CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1697, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing engineering

• biomedical engineering
• chemical engineering
• electrical engineering
• genetic engineering
• geotechnical engineering
• human engineering
• industrial engineering
• knowledge engineering
• mechanical engineering
• social engineering
• traffic engineering

Rhymes for engineering

• commandeering
• disappearing
• domineering
• interfering
• overhearing
• persevering
• pioneering
• privateering
• profiteering
• racketeering
• reappearing
• volunteering

Kids Definition

engineering

noun

en·​gi·​neer·​ing ˌen-jə-ˈni(ə)r-iŋ 

: 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)