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

Some of the most influential American innovations began as side projects, accidents, or niche engineering solutions before quietly changing how people communicate, travel, work, eat, and survive. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 28 May 2026

One such organization is TechCo Savvy, a nonprofit designed to take science, technology, engineering and mathematics education out of the textbooks and onto the streets of West Garfield Park, in the form of home design. —Victor Jacobo, CBS News, 28 May 2026

The internships are organized around an aerospace or space science theme drawn from NASA’s diverse engineering and scientific research programs. —News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 May 2026

Last year Amazon’s 14,000-plus layoffs touched nearly every part of the business, yet engineers were hit the hardest with job cuts, as nearly 40% of the 4,700 layoffs across New York, California, and New Jersey were engineering roles. —Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 28 May 2026

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)