engineer

1 of 2

noun

en·​gi·​neer ˌen-jə-ˈnir 

1

: a member of a military group devoted to engineering work

2

obsolete : a crafty schemer : plotter

3

a

: a designer or builder of engines

b

: a person who is trained in or follows as a profession a branch of engineering

c

: a person who carries through an enterprise by skillful or artful contrivance

4

: a person who runs or supervises an engine or an apparatus

engineer

2 of 2

verb

engineered; engineering; engineers

transitive verb

1

: to lay out, construct, or manage as an engineer

engineer a bridge

2

a

: to contrive or plan out usually with more or less subtle skill and craft

engineer a business deal

b

: to guide the course of

engineer a rally

3

: to modify or produce by genetic engineering

corn engineered to resist crop pests

Synonyms

Noun

• architect
• mastermind

Verb

• contrive
• finagle
• finesse
• frame
• machinate
• maneuver
• manipulate
• mastermind
• negotiate
• wangle

Choose the Right Synonym for engineer

guide, lead, steer, pilot, engineer mean to direct in a course or show the way to be followed.

guide implies intimate knowledge of the way and of all its difficulties and dangers.

guided the scouts through the cave

lead implies showing the way and often keeping those that follow under control and in order.

led his team to victory

steer implies an ability to keep to a course and stresses the capacity of maneuvering correctly.

steered the ship through a narrow channel

pilot suggests guidance over a dangerous or complicated course.

piloted the bill through the Senate

engineer implies finding ways to avoid or overcome difficulties in achieving an end or carrying out a plan.

engineered his son's election to the governorship

Examples of engineer in a Sentence

Noun

Design engineers are working on ways to make the cars run more efficiently.

The engineer stopped the train.

Army engineers were called in to construct the canal.

Verb

The rebels engineered a successful attack.

the mayor engineered an agreement to have a major league team play in our city

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Some engineers were blown away by Devin’s technical chops; others feared for their jobs. —Rashi Shrivastava, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024

These days, however, the 47-year-old computer engineer hasn’t felt the same drive to go to the theaters and discover something new. —Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 2 Dec. 2024

Verb

While the coolers and drinkware are best known, Yeti’s camping gear is as meticulously designed and engineered. —Red Fabbri, Travel + Leisure, 2 Dec. 2024

It’s made from a combination of solid pine and engineered wood and is finished with a versatile herringbone-style front that can adapt to any interior design style. —Will Porter, Architectural Digest, 2 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English engineour, from Anglo-French, from enginer to devise, construct, from engin

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1635, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

1828, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing engineer

• civil engineer
• flight engineer
• reverse engineer

Kids Definition

engineer

1 of 2 noun

en·​gi·​neer ˌen-jə-ˈni(ə)r 

1

: a member of a military group devoted to engineering work

2

a

: a designer or builder of engines

b

: a person who is trained in or follows as a profession a branch of engineering

3

: a person who runs or supervises an engine or technical machinery

engineer

2 of 2 verb

1

: to plan, build, or manage as an engineer

2

: to guide the course of

engineer a rally

Medical Definition

engineer

transitive verb

en·​gi·​neer ˌen-jə-ˈni(ə)r 

: to modify or produce by genetic engineering

insulin made by genetically engineered bacteria

—Technical Survey