Meaning & use

engineer

noun·Everyday

A person trained to design, build, or maintain machines, structures, systems, or software.

See it in a sentence

The engineer inspected the bridge to make sure it could safely support heavy traffic.

A team of software engineers spent months developing the new mobile app.

A note on using this word

"Engineer" is also used as a verb meaning to skillfully arrange or bring about an outcome, often with a hint of cunning, as in "engineer a solution."

Words with a similar meaning

This term is best learned through its definition and examples.

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Another way to use it

2. verb

To plan and carry out something in a skillful or clever way, often through indirect means.

Critics claimed the scandal was engineered to distract voters before the election.

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