engineering

[en-juh-neer-ing] /ˌɛn dʒəˈnɪər ɪŋ/
noun
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.
skillful or artful contrivance; maneuvering.
Origin
1710-20; engineer + -ing1
Related forms
nonengineering, noun, adjective
preengineering, adjective

engineer

[en-juh-neer] /ˌɛn dʒəˈnɪər/
noun
1.
a person trained and skilled in the design, construction, and use of engines or machines, or in any of various branches of engineering:
a mechanical engineer; a civil engineer.
2.
a person who operates or is in charge of an engine.
3.
Also called locomotive engineer. Railroads. a person who operates or is in charge of a locomotive.
4.
a member of an army, navy, or air force specially trained in engineering work.
5.
a skillful manager:
a political engineer.
verb (used with object)
6.
to plan, construct, or manage as an engineer:
He's engineered several big industrial projects.
7.
to design or create using the techniques or methods of engineering:
The motor has been engineered to run noiselessly.
8.
to arrange, manage, or carry through by skillful or artful contrivance:
He certainly engineered the election campaign beautifully.
Origin
1350-1400; engine + -eer; replacing Middle English engin(e)our < Anglo-French engineor Old French engigneor < Medieval Latin ingeniātor, equivalent to ingeniā(re) to design, devise (verbal derivative of ingenium; see engine) + Latin -tor -tor
Related forms
subengineer, noun
unengineered, adjective
well-engineered, adjective
Examples from the web for engineering
  • One is to fund research with a strong emphasis on energy engineering and science.
  • It increased global trade and led to advances in disease control, science and engineering.
  • Few engineering feats today will last two centuries despite computer design and advance engineering science.
  • But his belief in the beautiful efficiency of natural engineering clearly anticipated the modern science of biomimetics.
  • Architecture is usually conceived as the aesthetic design of the structure, while the construction is purely civil engineering.
  • The convergence of biology and engineering is turning health care into an information industry.
  • Search for careers in science, engineering, business and technology.
  • Nanotechnology is a cutting-edge advancement within science and engineering.
  • See the best of these science and engineering visualizations in this gallery.
  • The article notes that science and engineering prevented this disaster from being a lot worse.
British Dictionary definitions for engineering

engineering

/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

engineer

/ˌɛndʒɪˈnɪə/
noun
1.
a person trained in any branch of the profession of engineering
2.
the originator or manager of a situation, system, etc
3.
a mechanic; person who repairs or services machines
4.
(US & Canadian) the driver of a railway locomotive
5.
an officer responsible for a ship's engines
6.
Informal name sapper. a member of the armed forces, esp the army, trained in engineering and construction work
verb (transitive)
7.
to originate, cause, or plan in a clever or devious manner: he engineered the minister's downfall
8.
to design, plan, or construct as a professional engineer
Word Origin
C14: enginer, from Old French engigneor, from engignier to contrive, ultimately from Latin ingenium skill, talent; see engine
Word Origin and History for engineering
n.

1680s, from engineer (n.). Meaning "work done by an engineer" is from 1720. As a field of study, attested from 1792. An earlier word was engineership (1640s); engineery was attempted in 1793, but it did not stick.

engineer

n.

early 14c., "constructor of military engines," from Old French engigneor, from Late Latin ingeniare (see engine); general sense of "inventor, designer" is recorded from early 15c.; civil sense, in reference to public works, is recorded from c.1600. Meaning "locomotive driver" is first attested 1832, American English. A "maker of engines" in ancient Greece was a mekhanopoios.

v.

1843 (but cf. engineering), from engineer (n.). Figurative sense of "arrange, contrive" is attested from 1864, originally in a political context. Related: Engineered.

engineering in Science
engineering
  (ěn'jə-nîr'ĭng)   
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.