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

For the first time with its Expedition and Navigator launches, suppliers and employees from engineering, manufacturing and supply chain were all in the same room to observe parts and do reviews on vehicles before production started. — Breana Noble, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2026

His academic scholarship took them to Champaign-Urbana, where Joe earned an engineering degree from the University of Illinois. — Rebecca McCarthy, AJC.com, 25 June 2026

An Agile development and product testing model will allow an organization to fail fast and succeed fast while ensuring that development and engineering budgets can be optimized to meet extended engineering project needs. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026

Its target is engineering and manufacturing—in the aerospace and automotive sectors and drug development. — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 17 June 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)