social engineering

American  

[soh-shuhl en-juh-neer-ing] / ˈsoʊ ʃəl ˌɛn dʒəˈnɪər ɪŋ /

noun

1. Political Science. the manipulation of social beliefs and behaviors by public or private entities through legislation, policy, and investment.

2. a technique that uses psychological manipulation, fraud, or dishonesty to force people to disclose private personal or corporate information, or to take a particular action.

   Hackers are using social engineering to perpetrate phishing scams.

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social engineering British  

noun

1. the manipulation of the social position and function of individuals in order to manage change in a society

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Other Word Forms

• social engineer
  noun

Etymology

Origin of social engineering

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

These materials are paired with specially engineered nanostructures designed to precisely control light at extremely small scales.

From Science Daily • Jun. 2, 2026

This is achieved by slightly rotating two specially engineered photonic crystal layers.

From Science Daily • Mar. 21, 2026

Their work relied on specially engineered mice that mimic key immune pathways found in humans.

From Science Daily • Mar. 16, 2026

Chemogenetics involves directing cell behavior with small external molecules, often medications or dietary compounds, that activate specially engineered switches inside targeted cells.

From Science Daily • Feb. 28, 2026

What they settled on was a specially engineered thin elastic mesh stretched tight over the plastic frame.

From "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell