Showing results for "engineering"

• present participle of engineer.

engineering

American  

[en-juh-neer-ing] / ˌɛn dʒəˈnɪər ɪŋ /

noun

• engineering
  plural

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.

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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

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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.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonengineering
  noun
• preengineering
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• engineering
  plural

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

See Examples For:

engineering

U.S. schools simply aren’t producing enough students with advanced engineering and math skills.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 14, 2026

By engineering yeast, scientists have developed a system that can transform compounds from plastic and agricultural waste into edible proteins, vitamins, flavorings, and other food ingredients.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 13, 2026

Apple Wednesday showcased both its first foldable iPhone and CEO John Ternus, who before becoming Apple’s third CEO last week led the hardware engineering unit behind the foldable feat.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 10, 2026

In collaboration with textile researchers at Donghua University, one of China's leading institutions for textile science and engineering, the researchers showed that the method works on more than just printable polymer films.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 10, 2026

Ten women made it past the application process—five physicians, three engineers, a scientist, and a test pilot with an engineering degree.

From "Women in Space" by Karen Bush Gibson

Related Words

• architecture
• design
• metallurgy
• planning