engineer
Pluralengineers
Verbengineers, engineering, engineered
Pluralengineers
Formsengineers, engineering, engineered
- 1A person who designs, builds, or fixes machines, or who works in any kind of engineering.
Like a builder, but for machines and other big projects.
My sister is an engineer who designs bridges.
He trained as an engineer at the local college.
UsageOften a software engineer or work as an engineer.
Note
- 2
- 3To make something happen by clever and sometimes secret planning.
Like setting up dominoes so they fall exactly the way you want.
She engineered a surprise party without anyone noticing.
He tried to engineer a meeting between the two rivals.
UsageOften engineer a deal or plan.
Similarorchestrate, arrange, contrive, mastermind
- 4
- 5A person who drives a train or a fire engine.
Like the driver of a car, but for a whole train.
The engineer slowed the train as it neared the station.
She became an engineer for the freight railroad.
UsageFor trains, British English says train driver.
Similardriver
- 6A soldier who builds or designs military structures like bridges and defenses.
Like a builder, but in the army, making things for war.
Army engineers built a bridge so the troops could cross.
The engineer planned the fort's defenses.
Similarsapper
Note
Less common meanings
- 7A person who cleverly plans or controls events or people, often secretly.
Like a puppeteer who pulls strings to make things happen.
A clever social engineer convinced the staff to open the locked door.
Everyone knew he was the quiet engineer behind the office shake-up.
Similarmanipulator, mastermind, schemer, architect, orchestrator
- 8A person who runs a steam engine, especially in the engine room of a ship.
Like the person who keeps a big machine going deep inside a ship.
The engineer kept the steam engine running all night.
The engineer, the deck-hand on the great lakes, or on the Mississippi or St. Lawrence or Sacramento, or Hudson or Paumanok sound, claims him.
1892, Walt Whitman, “Song of the Answerer”Here, engineer means a person who runs a steam engine, as on a ship.Note
- 9To work in the job of an engineer.
What of the grand tools with which we engineer, like kobolds and enchanters,—tunnelling Alps, canalling the American Isthmus, piercing the Arabian desert?
1870, Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Works and Days”Here, engineer means to do engineering work, building great things.Note
- 10A title used in front of an engineer's name as a sign of respect.
Like putting 'Doctor' in front of a doctor's name.
Everyone addressed her as Engineer Tan at the office.
The invitation was sent to Engineer Lopez and his family.
UsageUse a capital letter for the title: Engineer Reyes.
- 11A soldier who operates a weapon, like a cannon.
In war he [the poet] is the most deadly force of the war. Who recruits him recruits horse and foot … he fetches parks of artillery the best that engineer ever knew.
1855, Walt Whitman, Leaves of GrassHere, engineer means a soldier who works a big gun, a gunner.Wit's an unruly engine, wildly ſtriking / Sometimes a friend, ſometimes the engineer.
[1633], George Herbert, “The Church-porch”Note
Showing meanings only.
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Origin
It comes from Middle English enginour, meaning someone who designs or operates machines and military works. This came through Old French from engin ("device, machine, cleverness"), which came from Latin ingenium ("natural ability, cleverness").
Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 6 facts
- Engineer comes from Middle English enginour. en.wiktionary.org
- Middle English enginour denoted someone designing machines or designing or operating military works. en.wiktionary.org
- The word came through Old French from engin. en.wiktionary.org
- Old French engin meant device, machine and cleverness. en.wiktionary.org
- Old French engin came from Latin ingenium. en.wiktionary.org
- Latin ingenium meant natural ability or cleverness. en.wiktionary.org