architect
Americannoun
-
a person who engages in the profession of architecture.
-
a person professionally engaged in the design of certain large constructions other than buildings and the like.
landscape architect; naval architect.
-
the deviser, maker, or creator of anything.
the architects of the Constitution of the United States.
verb (used with object)
noun
-
a person qualified to design buildings and to superintend their erection
-
a person similarly qualified in another form of construction
a naval architect
-
any planner or creator
the architect of the expedition
verb
Other Word Forms
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)
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Play by the Rules: Arch
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" Speech (1963)
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Outside the Senate on Wednesday, about 500 riot police faced off with some 250 protesters demanding the arrest and handover to the ICC of a person they described as the "architect" of Duterte's drug war.
From Barron's • May 13, 2026
Eichmann - an architect of the Jewish Holocaust - was hanged in 1962, becoming the only person previously sentenced to death by an Israeli civil court.
From BBC • May 12, 2026
How do you memorialize an architect, even a widely admired one?
From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026
The interior architect had to fill up the gas-powered 2026 Q5 before returning it, paying $108 to do so.
From MarketWatch • May 6, 2026
Masterji Thakur took a deep breath and squeezed his throat before shouting, “The original architect of the Arcanum was a Conjuror.”
From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton
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.
