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

That’s kind of why I want to go to college, want to get an engineering degree, and make sure that maybe I can take my kids one day to a Rams game.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026

Engineers say building expansions can be done safely but adding floors to a structure that wasn’t originally built to hold such weight requires complex engineering.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026

The contractor on the project, Leeding Builders Group, and the engineering firm, DeSimone Consulting Engineers, didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026

Dr Nicola Fox, who grew up in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, said she had been struck by the number of women now graduating in physics and engineering when she returned to the University of Surrey.

From BBC ● Jul. 26, 2026

“Isn’t it mind-blowing, the engineering behind something as grand as this entryway? It never ceases to amaze me, but particularly on beautiful days like this,” Mr. Keller says.

From "The House That Lou Built" by Mae Respicio

Related Words

• architecture
• design
• metallurgy
• planning