architect

American  

[ahr-ki-tekt] / ˈɑr kɪˌtɛkt /

noun

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.

---

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

---

verb

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

Other Word Forms

• subarchitect noun
• unarchitected adjective

Etymology

Origin of architect

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

Example Sentences

Rodriguez has cast herself as the architect of a new order while keeping tight control over how changes are carried out.

From The Wall Street Journal

He was a man of many parts: a scholar, an artist, an engineer, an architect, a man of peace, and a man of war.

From Literature

He enjoyed close ties with three generations of Chinese leaders, including Deng Xiaoping, the architect of China's economic opening up.

From Barron's

They could have looked around and moped that three architects of their success this season weren't there to help them now.

From BBC

Roth was not an architect of the first rank.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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