engineer

[ en-juh-neer ]

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. Digital Technology. a person skilled in the design and programming of computer systems:

   a software engineer;

   a web engineer.

6. a skillful manager:

   a political engineer.

verb (used with object)

1. to plan, construct, or manage as an engineer:

   He's engineered several big industrial projects.

2. to design or create using the techniques or methods of engineering:

   The motor has been engineered to run noiselessly.

3. to arrange, manage, or carry through by skillful or artful contrivance:

   He certainly engineered the election campaign beautifully.

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. the driver of a railway locomotive
5. an officer responsible for a ship's engines
6. Informal namesapper a member of the armed forces, esp the army, trained in engineering and construction work

verb

1. to originate, cause, or plan in a clever or devious manner

   he engineered the minister's downfall

2. to design, plan, or construct as a professional engineer

Other Words From

• suben·gi·neer noun
• unen·gi·neered adjective
• well-engi·neered adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of engineer¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; engine + -eer; replacing Middle English engin(e)our, from Anglo-French engineor, Old French engigneor, from Medieval Latin ingeniātor, from ingeniā(re) “to design, devise” (derivative of ingenium “nature, innate quality, mental power, clever invention”; engine ) + Latin -tor -tor

Word History and Origins

Origin of engineer¹

C14: enginer, from Old French engigneor, from engignier to contrive, ultimately from Latin ingenium skill, talent; see engine

Example Sentences

This means that cell density is a broadly applicable tool for guiding both engineered and naturally occurring cells to build a vast array of structures, tissues, and organs.

From Science Daily

All that stuff had to be engineered into our pipeline in order to get that final look.”

From Los Angeles Times

Brighten The Corners said students had a chance to learn about roles in the music and live events industries, including sound engineering, management and marketing.

From BBC

Additionally, findings may have significant implications for industrial process engineering.

From Science Daily

The team hopes that their new bio-inspired microfluidic fabrication technique could be used in various fields of science and engineering, potentially leading to more efficient microreactors, advanced heat exchangers, and innovative tissue engineering scaffolds.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• architect
• builder
• designer
• director
• inventor
• manager
• planner
• surveyor