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

As virtual and augmented reality continue expanding across healthcare, retail, hospitality, industrial manufacturing, engineering, and other industries, organizations are increasingly exploring how these systems may contribute to broader human development. —Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 4 June 2026

In the end, however, what may push blood filtration into the Ebola treatment toolkit is not an engineering advance but a body count. —Elie Dolgin, IEEE Spectrum, 4 June 2026

Sure, there are other engineering elements, but that’s one that everyone can see and appreciate. —Jerry Perez, The Drive, 4 June 2026

Constructing an intimidatingly expansive blanket enclave is a much bigger feat of engineering, however. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 4 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)