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

Epic Universe: Exec blends arts, engineering in theme park roles Orlando native Jeff Polk tapped into his varied background to help launch new theme park. —Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 May 2025

Filed at the state court in New York in late April, the lawsuit also names architecture and engineering companies involved in the project. —Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 15 May 2025

So, after the Australian wing break, Coutts and his design and engineering teams were faced with little choice other than to go back to the drawing board and beef up the wingsails sufficiently to be ready for New York in early June. —Andrew Rice, New York Times, 15 May 2025

There were also agreements for infrastructure and engineering projects, drone and counter-drone systems, and a statement of intent to invest more money in Al Udeid Air Base, which Trump plans to visit on Thursday. —Aya Batrawy, NPR, 14 May 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)