engineering

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engineering [noun]
US /ˌen.dʒɪˈnɪr.ɪŋ/ 
UK /ˌen.dʒɪˈnɪə.rɪŋ/ 
Example: 

He has studied mechanical engineering.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

engineering

 noun (no plural)
planning and making things like machines, roads or bridges:
She's studying chemical engineering at college.

 

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

engineering

engineering S3 W3 /ˌendʒəˈnɪərɪŋ, ˌendʒɪˈnɪərɪŋ $ -ˈnɪr-/ noun [uncountable]
  the work involved in designing and building roads, bridges, machines etc
  ⇨ civil engineering, genetic engineering

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

engineering

en·gin·eer·ing [engineering]   [ˌendʒɪˈnɪərɪŋ]    [ˌendʒɪˈnɪrɪŋ]  noun uncountable

1. the activity of applying scientific knowledge to the design, building and control of machines, roads, bridges, electrical equipment, etc

• The bridge is a triumph of modern engineering.

compare  reverse engineering

2. (also ˌengineering ˈscience) the study of engineering as a subject

• a degree in engineering

see also  chemical engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, genetic engineering, mechanical engineering, social engineering 

 

Example Bank:

• The bridge is a fine piece of engineering.

• The building is a remarkable feat of engineering.

• Train services on Sunday will be restricted because of engineering works.

 

x

engineer

en·gin·eer [engineer engineers engineered engineering] noun, verb   [ˌendʒɪˈnɪə(r)]    [ˌendʒɪˈnɪr]

noun

 

1. a person whose job involves designing and building engines, machines, roads, bridges, etc.

see also  chemical engineer, civil engineer, electrical engineer, lighting engineer, mechanical engineer, software engineer, sound engineer

2. a person who is trained to repair machines and electrical equipment

• They're sending an engineer to fix the phone.

3. a person whose job is to control and repair engines, especially on a ship or an aircraft

• a flight engineer

• the chief engineer on a cruise liner

4. (NAmE) (BrE ˈengine driver) a person whose job is driving a railway/railroad engine

5. a soldier trained to design and build military structures

 

Word Origin:

Middle English (denoting a designer and constructor of fortifications and weapons; formerly also as ingineer): in early use from Old French engigneor, from medieval Latin ingeniator, from ingeniare ‘contrive, devise’, from Latin ingenium ‘talent, device’, from in- ‘in’ + gignere ‘beget’; in later use from French ingénieur or Italian ingegnere, also based on Latin ingenium, with the ending influenced by -eer.

 

Example Bank:

• We were on the phone with a technical support engineer.

• You need the advice of a qualified engineer.

• engineers who designed and built advanced military aircraft

• a chemical/civil/electrical/mechanical engineer

verb

1. ~ sth (often disapproving) to arrange for sth to happen or take place, especially when this is done secretly in order to give yourself an advantage

Syn:  contrive

• She engineered a further meeting with him.

2. usually passive ~ sth to design and build sth

• The car is beautifully engineered and a pleasure to drive.

3. ~ sth to change the genetic structure of sth

Syn: genetically modify

• genetically engineered crops

Word Origin:

Middle English (denoting a designer and constructor of fortifications and weapons; formerly also as ingineer): in early use from Old French engigneor, from medieval Latin ingeniator, from ingeniare ‘contrive, devise’, from Latin ingenium ‘talent, device’, from in- ‘in’ + gignere ‘beget’; in later use from French ingénieur or Italian ingegnere, also based on Latin ingenium, with the ending influenced by -eer.

Example Bank:

• She carefully engineered a meeting with the chairman.

• The car is superbly engineered and a pleasure to drive.

• This heavier-weight paper is specifically engineered for inkjet printing.

• genetically engineered organisms

• genetically engineered plants

• He had no idea that his downfall had been engineered by his deputy.

• The firm effectively engineered its own takeover.

• They've designed/engineered a new car.

• the men who engineered the tunnel

See also: engine driver

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

engineering / ˌen.dʒɪˈnɪə.rɪŋ /   / -ˈnɪr.ɪŋ / noun [ U ]

B1 the work of an engineer, or the study of this work:

German/British engineering

Richard studied engineering at Manchester University.

© Cambridge University Press 2013

Collins Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

engineering

[e̱nʤɪnɪ͟ərɪŋ]

 N-UNCOUNT
 Engineering is the work involved in designing and constructing engines and machinery, or structures such as roads and bridges. Engineering is also the subject studied by people who want to do this work.
 → See also chemical engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, genetic engineering
  ...the design and engineering of aircraft and space vehicles.
  ...graduates with degrees in engineering.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

engineering

 noun (no plural)
planning and making things like machines, roads or bridges:
She's studying chemical engineering at college.