architect

American  

[ahr-ki-tekt] / ˈɑr kɪˌtɛkt /

noun

• architects
  plural

1. 

   a person who engages in the profession of architecture.

2. a person professionally engaged in the design of certain large constructions other than buildings and the like.

   landscape architect; naval architect.

3. the deviser, maker, or creator of anything.

   the architects of the Constitution of the United States.

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verb (used with object)

1. to plan, organize, or structure as an architect.

   The house is well architected.

architect British  

/ ˈɑːkɪˌtɛkt /

noun

1. a person qualified to design buildings and to superintend their erection

2. a person similarly qualified in another form of construction

   a naval architect

3. any planner or creator

   the architect of the expedition

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verb

1. (tr) to plan or create (something, esp a computer system)

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• subarchitect
  noun
• unarchitected
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• architects
  plural

Etymology

Origin of architect

1555–65; < Latin architectus < Greek architéktōn, equivalent to Greek archi- archi- + tektōn builder, craftsman

Explanation

A person who designs buildings is an architect. If you become an architect, you'll be responsible for drawing the blueprints, planning the work, and sometimes even overseeing the construction of a building. Frank Lloyd Wright was a famous architect who helped complete over 500 projects in his lifetime, including private homes, skyscrapers, museums, churches, and schools. Architects work on buildings of all types, and the Greek root arkhitektōn literally means “chief builder.” An architect can construct other things too, like the architects who design a video game, or the architect of your misfortune who dumped green slime on your head at a school dance.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

architect architects

After making Venice her primary residence, Caland collaborated with architect Neil Kaufman on the design for her enclosed château.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 21, 2026

The couple snapped up the 6-acre estate and enlisted architect Charles Gwathmey to overhaul the abode.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 21, 2026

Yet the future secretary of state — and architect of the Marshall Plan — was most concerned with competence and candor leading to military effectiveness.

From Salon ● Sep. 20, 2026

There was a moment when I wanted to be an architect.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 17, 2026

Oddly enough, its architect was named Frank P. Burnham, no relation.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson

Once granted, a large-scale project,, external involving conservation specialists, stone masons and architects, was initiated to restore and then move the statue.

From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026

Designed by Ma Yansong of MAD architects, it is a Goliath of a building, 700 feet long with 300,000 square feet of space.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 2026

Wyoming Senator Cynthia Lummis, one of the legislation's leading Republican architects, said the final text incorporated more than 120 changes sought by Democrats.

From Barron's ● Sep. 15, 2026

Last week, a former engineer for OpenAI and Anthropic warned that AI’s chief architects “earnestly believe that it could kill us all by the end of the decade.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 14, 2026

The eastern architects left New Jersey at 4:50 P.M.,

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson

Related Words

• artist
• builder
• creator
• designer
• engineer
• inventor
• planner