
the action, work, or profession of an engineer.
skillful or artful contrivance; maneuvering.

1710–20; engineer + -ing1

nonengineering, noun, adjective
preengineering, adjective Unabridged


a person who operates or is in charge of an engine.
a skillful manager: a political engineer.
verb (used with object)

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

subengineer, noun
unengineered, adjective
well-engineered, adjective Unabridged
Cite This Source Link To engineering
World English Dictionary
engineer (ˌɛndʒɪˈnɪə)
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
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
[C14: enginer, from Old French engigneor, from engignier to contrive, ultimately from Latin ingenium skill, talent; see engine]

engineering (ˌɛndʒɪˈnɪərɪŋ)
See also military engineering 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)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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Word Origin & History

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Science Dictionary
engineering   (ěn'jə-nîr'ĭng)  Pronunciation Key 
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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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Example sentences
One is to fund research with a strong emphasis on energy engineering and
It increased global trade and led to advances in disease control, science and
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.
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