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

Today, the park impresses with its modern engineering and renowned aesthetics. —Zachary Laks, Travel + Leisure, 17 Oct. 2025

Recent graduates were once promised that studying fields like computer science, coding, or engineering would guarantee them six-figure salaries after college. —Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2025

Dozens of experts met at a two-day conference on engineering and safeguarding synthetic life in Manchester, UK, in September to discuss where red lines should be drawn to restrict research into technologies that could enable the creation of mirror organisms. —Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2025

In terms of the key engineering steps, the short answer is everything. —Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2025

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)