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

These agents represent a new wave of customizable tools designed to address unique challenges within sectors such as engineering, manufacturing, and finance. —Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 16 Dec. 2024

Scott Ellyson is the CEO and co-founder of East West Manufacturing (EW), a global engineering and manufacturing services company specializing in the realization of products, from design through distribution. —Shimite Obialo, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024

Some of the schools with the largest number of graduates are The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the engineering and business schools. —Helen Rummel, The Arizona Republic, 16 Dec. 2024

The looks may have changed little since 1950, but the engineering beneath certainly has. —Ben Oliver, Robb Report, 12 Dec. 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)