engineering

noun

en·​gi·​neer·​ing ˌen-jə-ˈnir-iŋ How to pronounce engineering (audio)
Synonyms of engineeringnext
1
: the activities or function of an engineer
2
a
: the application of science and mathematics by which the properties of matter and the sources of energy in nature are made useful to people
b
: the design and manufacture of complex products
software engineering
3
: calculated manipulation or direction (as of behavior)
social engineering
compare genetic engineering

Examples of engineering in a Sentence

This control panel is a good example of smart engineering.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
General Electric, once the emblem of MSV, was broken apart after years of financial engineering and under-investment in core capabilities. — Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026 Meanwhile, occupations such as IT and engineering, where AI enhances the value of experience by taking over routine tasks, are among the few that have held up since last summer. — Irina Anghel, Fortune, 2 Aug. 2026 Rather than burning coal for energy or converting it into fuels, the process focuses on extracting carbon-rich molecular structures that can serve as feedstock for advanced engineering materials. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 2 Aug. 2026 Flood kindly took on all the engineering duties, which freed me up to be in the band room with Eno. — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 2 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for engineering

Word History

First Known Use

1697, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of engineering was in 1697

Phrases Containing engineering

Rhymes for engineering

See All Rhymes for engineering

Browse Nearby Words

engineer boot
engineering
engineering geology
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Cite this Entry

“Engineering.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/engineering. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

engineering

noun
en·​gi·​neer·​ing ˌen-jə-ˈni(ə)r-iŋ How to pronounce engineering (audio)
: the science or profession of developing and using nature's power and resources in ways that are useful to people (as in designing and building roads, bridges, dams, or machines and in creating new products)
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