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

The Sphere is a cutting-edge concert hall, a marvel of engineering and technology, a visual and auditory feast. —Nick Paumgarten, The New Yorker, 22 July 2024

The company’s vice president of engineering, Lars Moravy, said on that second-quarter 2023 earnings call that replacing a specific cast part on a Tesla car, a rear rail, was 10 times cheaper and three times faster than a comparable stamped part. —Robert Ferris, CNBC, 20 July 2024

Kelly received a bachelor’s degree with highest honors in marine engineering and nautical science from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. —Ronald J. Hansen, The Arizona Republic, 20 July 2024

According to David Brumley, professor of electrical and computer engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, this was a perfect storm of issues. —Rebecca Schneid, TIME, 19 July 2024

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

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)