engineering

American  

[en-juh-neer-ing] / ˌɛn dʒəˈnɪər ɪŋ /

noun

1. the art or science of making practical application of the knowledge of pure sciences, as physics or chemistry, as in the construction of engines, bridges, buildings, mines, ships, and chemical plants.

2. the action, work, or profession of an engineer.

3. Digital Technology. the art or process of designing and programming computer systems.

   computer engineering;

   software engineering.

4. skillful or artful contrivance; maneuvering.

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engineering British  

/ ˌɛndʒɪˈnɪərɪŋ /

noun

1. the profession of applying scientific principles to the design, construction, and maintenance of engines, cars, machines, etc ( mechanical engineering ), buildings, bridges, roads, etc ( civil engineering ), electrical machines and communication systems ( electrical engineering ), chemical plant and machinery ( chemical engineering ), or aircraft ( aeronautical engineering ) See also military engineering

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engineering Scientific  

/ ĕn′jə-nîr′ĭng /

1. The application of science to practical uses such as the design of structures, machines, and systems. Engineering has many specialities such as civil engineering, chemical engineering, and mechanical engineering.

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Other Word Forms

• nonengineering
  noun
• preengineering
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of engineering

First recorded in 1710–20; engineer + -ing ¹

Explanation

If you're good at engineering that means you're able to apply scientific or mathematical ideas to real-world projects like designing a bridge, building a radio tower, and of course, designing engines. Think of engineering as the field where science, math, and technology meet. If you like to understand how things work and like building new things even more, then consider going into engineering. The word comes, predictably enough, from the word engine. You wouldn't want a poet designing the engine of your airplane, would you? Me neither.

Example Sentences

Powell and student researcher Louis Buchalter, who earned a Cal Poly bachelor's degree in physics in 2025, published their findings in Physical Review B in a paper titled "Flux-Switching Floquet Engineering."

From Science Daily • May 4, 2026

A team at Texas A&M University, led by Dr. Matthew Powell-Palm from the J. Mike Walker '66 Department of Mechanical Engineering, has introduced a new approach aimed at addressing this issue.

From Science Daily • Apr. 27, 2026

Israel struck the Tofigh Daru Research & Engineering Co., one of Iran’s largest pharmaceutical companies which produces anesthetics and cancer drugs.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

Engineering a functioning drop-down door, designed to mimic cinematic spacecraft entrances, proved particularly challenging.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

“That was in response to Dr. Cooper canceling the Robotics and Engineering Club and then using the money to create a school pageant,” she said, shaking her head.

From "City Spies" by James Ponti

Related Words

• architecture
• design
• metallurgy
• planning