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

Does other fields mean acting or, like, engineering? —Mikey O'Connell, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Sep. 2023

After studying engineering at the University of Waterloo, Mehta spent two years working on supply-chain logistics at Amazon.com Inc. before deciding to leave and build a company. —Biz Carson, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2023

Since then, Mandiant has watched that USB-hacking campaign ramp up and infect new victims as recently as this month, stretching across consulting, marketing, engineering, construction, mining, education, banking, and pharmaceuticals, as well as government agencies. —WIRED, 19 Sep. 2023

Standard Lithium plans to do a front-end engineering design and definitive feasibility study for the site next year and to begin construction in 2025. —Aaron Gettinger, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2023

The idea of planet-scale engineering didn't gain much traction over the next two decades. —Douglas Fox, Scientific American, 19 Sep. 2023

In postwar Europe, given the choice of returning to Poland or going to England, Dr. Bussgang picked the latter and received a bachelor’s degree in engineering from the University of London. —Bryan Marquard, BostonGlobe.com, 17 Sep. 2023

Indian engineering group Larsen and Toubro is constructing the temple on a 2.67 acre (1.08 hectares) site within a 70-acre (28 hectares) complex, Misra said, adding artists from across the country have been selected to create artwork and murals that showcase the country’s diversity. —Rhea Mogul, CNN, 16 Sep. 2023

Yacko was busy as an engineering manager, while Gilliard worked for a New York utility company. —Cathy Free, Washington Post, 15 Sep. 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

1697, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing engineering

• biomedical engineering
• chemical engineering
• human engineering
• social engineering
• genetic engineering
• electrical engineering
• knowledge engineering
• geotechnical engineering
• industrial engineering
• traffic engineering
• mechanical engineering

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• biomedical engineering
• chemical engineering
• human engineering
• social engineering
• genetic engineering
• electrical engineering
• knowledge engineering
• geotechnical engineering
• industrial engineering
• traffic engineering
• mechanical engineering

See More

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)