engineering

1 of 2

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

engineering

2 of 2

present participle of engineer entry 2

Examples of engineering in a Sentence

Noun

This control panel is a good example of smart engineering.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The combined engineering of spatial, acoustic and visual experiences is, perhaps, still not fully appreciated. — Jacqueline Ortoleva, Scientific American, 3 Oct. 2026

In September, commission staff audited and accepted an engineering report covering a modular construction technique tested at Purdue University. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026

At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, engineering professorSayan Mitra said several courses use robotic arms, drones, humanoids and vehicles from China. — Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2026

This episode was produced by Sophia Paliza-Carre, Mia Venkat and Connor Donevan with audio engineering by Ted Mebane. — October 2, NPR, 2 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

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
• prompt 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)