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.

---

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

---

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

For example, Daniel Patrick Moynihan, working for President Richard Nixon at the time, recommended George M. White to be the architect of the Capitol; Nixon liked the idea.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026

Haruka Ayase, who starred in Kore-eda’s 2015 sibling drama “Our Little Sister,” plays Otone, an architect still devastated by the loss of her young son Kakeru two years ago.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026

At 34, Iryna Terekh, an architect by training, heads Fire Point, a company that has become one of the driving forces behind Ukraine's long-range strike capabilities in the war with Russia.

From Barron's ● Jul. 24, 2026

To be so young and have the trust of America’s greatest landscape architect, Codman must have been very bright indeed.

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

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

And, unlike the AD100-approved interior designers and architects that so many Hollywood stars rely on to bring their dream dwellings to life, the tie that binds these A-listers is actually accessible to the average homeowner.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 6, 2026

The skyline of the capital Tirana has been transformed, with a plethora of towers mostly designed by international architects.

From BBC ● Jul. 4, 2026

As a result, architects relied on old and dangerous habits, such as substituting wood for stone and decorating their buildings with wooden awnings, cupolas, and cornices.

From "The Great Fire" by Jim Murphy

Related Words

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