civil engineer

American  

noun

1. a person who designs public works, as roads, bridges, canals, dams, and harbors, or supervises their construction or maintenance.

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civil engineer British  

noun

1. a person qualified to design, construct, and maintain public works, such as roads, bridges, harbours, etc

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Other Word Forms

• civil engineering noun

Etymology

Origin of civil engineer

First recorded in 1785–95

Example Sentences

The son of a doctor of traditional medicine and a homemaker, Balen studied to be a civil engineer, and later helped rebuild homes lost in Nepal’s deadly 2015 earthquake.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 4, 2026

A former deputy prime minister and home minister, Lamichhane has formed an alliance with former Kathmandu mayor Balendra "Balen" Shah, 35 -- a rapper and civil engineer with a considerable online following.

From Barron's • Feb. 16, 2026

Gruter, who had lived in Australia since 2022 and worked as a civil engineer, returned to South Africa with his wife and young child, the ABC reported in early December.

From BBC • Jan. 8, 2026

As the son of a civil engineer and architect/fashion designer, Torres’ knack for world building comes as no surprise.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 10, 2025

It had probably been designed by a self-taught civil engineer, which may have accounted for the absence of all those expected molecules of water.

From "100 Sideways Miles" by Andrew Smith