engineering
- 1Using science and math to design, build, and run machines, roads, bridges, and other things, or the way something is built.
Like using a recipe and the right tools to make something: but for machines and buildings.
She studies engineering at college because she loves building things.
Good engineering keeps bridges safe for many years.
UsageSay she studies engineering. Kinds go first: civil engineering.
- 2Present participle of engineer. Use this -ing form for an action in progress: they are engineering, they were engineering.
They are engineering a new kind of safe water pump.
The team is engineering a cheaper way to clean dirty air.
Note
- 3The part of a ship where the engines are kept.
Like the space under a car's hood, but big enough to walk through.
The captain called down to engineering and asked for more speed.
He works down in engineering, keeping the engines running.
UsageUse it like a place name: down in engineering, go to engineering.
Less common meaning
- 4The office area where a company's professional engineers work.
Like saying 'the kitchen' to mean both the room and the people working there.
Engineering is on the second floor, next to the design team.
She walked over to engineering to ask about the blueprints.
UsageUse it like a name: go to engineering.
Showing meanings only.
engineering is a form of engineer
engineer, verb: To design and build something like a machine or structure using technical skill. Full entry
- Forms
- engineerengineers he/she/itengineering -ing formengineered past tense, past participle
- Spelling
- engineer → engineering: add -ing
Practice
Can you tell the meanings of engineering apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.
Origin
It comes from the word "engineer" plus the ending "-ing".
Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 1 fact
- Engineering comes from engineer plus the ending -ing. en.wiktionary.org