architect

American  

[ahr-ki-tekt] / ˈɑr kɪˌtɛkt /

noun

architects plural

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.

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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

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verb

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

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• subarchitect
  noun
• unarchitected
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• architects
  plural

Etymology

Origin of architect

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

Explanation

A person who designs buildings is an architect. If you become an architect, you'll be responsible for drawing the blueprints, planning the work, and sometimes even overseeing the construction of a building. Frank Lloyd Wright was a famous architect who helped complete over 500 projects in his lifetime, including private homes, skyscrapers, museums, churches, and schools. Architects work on buildings of all types, and the Greek root arkhitektōn literally means “chief builder.” An architect can construct other things too, like the architects who design a video game, or the architect of your misfortune who dumped green slime on your head at a school dance.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

architect architects

Felino Palafox, a renowned Filipino architect and urban planner, told the BBC that space was a major challenge in building more tennis courts.

From BBC ● Jul. 25, 2026

Although trained as an architect she never practised, instead running several construction companies.

From Barron's ● Jul. 24, 2026

Will former Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel be the play-designing architect to push him over the top and get him that elusive first playoff victory?

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026

The AI giant has committed $20 billion to a new data-center project in Georgia and hired an architect of Elon Musk’s computing build-out.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026

In shape it is as defiantly individual as the architect himself and refuses to conform to the boxlike apartments around it.

From "History of Art, Volume 1" by H.W. Janson

OpenAI has also hired Brent Mayo, one of the architects of Elon Musk’s data-center build-out, according to people with knowledge of the hire.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026

In 2019, the government announced plans to turn it into a police station, and initiated a EU-wide competition for architects to submit designs.

From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026

The activist said he’s seen AI affect ride-hail drivers, therapists, architects, designers and other professions.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026

Two weeks after the quakes, engineers and architects are evaluating the homes in this low-income neighborhood, built by its residents.

From Barron's ● Jul. 8, 2026

The architects did plan to come to Chicago for the January meeting, he told her, “but reluctantly; their hearts were not in it.”

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson

Related Words

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