architect
Americannoun
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a person who engages in the profession of architecture.
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a person professionally engaged in the design of certain large constructions other than buildings and the like.
landscape architect; naval architect.
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the deviser, maker, or creator of anything.
the architects of the Constitution of the United States.
verb (used with object)
noun
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a person qualified to design buildings and to superintend their erection
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a person similarly qualified in another form of construction
a naval architect
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any planner or creator
the architect of the expedition
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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.
Vocabulary lists containing architect
Figurative Language in King's "I Have a Dream" Speech (1963)
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Play by the Rules: Arch
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Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" Speech (1963)
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
She has been trying to secure a work placement, with the aim of continuing her studies and ultimately realising her dream of becoming an architect.
From BBC • Jul. 6, 2026
He’s also an architect who designed a new soccer stadium in the Tuscan city of Arezzo.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 4, 2026
Fourth & Central is intended to feel like a small, walkable community with new buildings that acknowledge the industrial history of the area , architect Alan Pullman said when the project was announced.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 1, 2026
The New Reich Chancellery, built by Hitler's favourite architect Albert Speer, was severely damaged at the end of World War Two and then torn down by order of the Soviet forces in 1949.
From BBC • Jun. 30, 2026
That’s sort of his job now—he’s officially still an architect, but ever since he got laid off last year, he mostly helps people make their new houses look old.
From "Liar & Spy" by Rebecca Stead
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
