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

Dual‑level engineering of metal–organic framework Taking on this challenge, the team showcased dual‑level engineering of metal–organic framework (MOF)‑derived hierarchical porous carbon nanofibers for high‑performance lithium–sulfur batteries. —Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2025

The sinking would usher in a wave of maritime safety reforms, including weather forecasting, vessel engineering and emergency procedures. —Stephen J. Beard, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025

India’s new corporate vanguard Increasingly, many of these centers are leading efforts on product engineering, AI model development, and automation strategy — co-owning innovation and intellectual property in the process. —Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2025

At its core, engineering is an act of creation. —IEEE Spectrum, 6 Nov. 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)