engineering

American  

[en-juh-neer-ing] / ˌɛn dʒəˈnɪər ɪŋ /

noun

1. the art or science of making practical application of the knowledge of pure sciences, as physics or chemistry, as in the construction of engines, bridges, buildings, mines, ships, and chemical plants.

2. the action, work, or profession of an engineer.

3. Digital Technology. the art or process of designing and programming computer systems.

   computer engineering;

   software engineering.

4. skillful or artful contrivance; maneuvering.

---

engineering British  

/ ˌɛndʒɪˈnɪərɪŋ /

noun

1. the profession of applying scientific principles to the design, construction, and maintenance of engines, cars, machines, etc ( mechanical engineering ), buildings, bridges, roads, etc ( civil engineering ), electrical machines and communication systems ( electrical engineering ), chemical plant and machinery ( chemical engineering ), or aircraft ( aeronautical engineering ) See also military engineering

---

engineering Scientific  

/ ĕn′jə-nîr′ĭng /

1. The application of science to practical uses such as the design of structures, machines, and systems. Engineering has many specialities such as civil engineering, chemical engineering, and mechanical engineering.

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonengineering
  noun
• preengineering
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of engineering

First recorded in 1710–20; engineer + -ing ¹

Explanation

If you're good at engineering that means you're able to apply scientific or mathematical ideas to real-world projects like designing a bridge, building a radio tower, and of course, designing engines. Think of engineering as the field where science, math, and technology meet. If you like to understand how things work and like building new things even more, then consider going into engineering. The word comes, predictably enough, from the word engine. You wouldn't want a poet designing the engine of your airplane, would you? Me neither.

Example Sentences

Last year, shortly after the fire happened, Hong Kong's anti-graft watchdog had arrested two directors of the development's structural engineering consultancy Will Power Architects.

From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026

He planned to attend the University of El Salvador and study electrical engineering.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 7, 2026

Thanks to advancements in engineering, materials and safety technology, today’s cars last longer than vehicles of generations past.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 6, 2026

By carefully engineering the atomic interactions where two materials come into contact, the team was able to significantly alter the properties of a metallic material.

From Science Daily • Jun. 6, 2026

Interestingly, Carpenter had not received his aeronautical engineering degree until after he returned from being the second American in space two months earlier.

From "Women in Space" by Karen Bush Gibson

Related Words

• architecture
• design
• metallurgy
• planning