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

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

When they built the Panama Canal and Transcontinental Railroad, American engineers worked at continental scale, but only one architect has done so.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 27, 2026

No figure articulated that connection more explicitly than White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, a central architect of Trump’s immigration agenda.

From Salon • Jun. 27, 2026

To hire an architect would have meant revealing the true character of the structure that suddenly had lodged itself in his imagination.

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

Related Words

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