Added 9 October 2026
engineer
/ˌɛn(d)ʒɪˈnɪə/ noun
In Latin: māchinātor Wiktionary
noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about engineer at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
- A person who uses scientific knowledge to solve practical problems.
- The operator of a railway locomotive.
verb
-
Design as an engineer.
He engineered the water supply project
-
Plan and direct (a complex undertaking).
he masterminded the robbery
Origin
The noun is derived from: * Middle English enginour (“one who designs, constructs, or operates military works for attack or defence, etc.; machine designer”) [and other forms], from Anglo-Norman enginour, engigneour [and other forms], and Middle French and Old French engigneor, engigneour, engignier (“one who designs, constructs, or operates military works for attack or defence; architect; carpenter; craftsman; designer; planner; one who deceives or schemes”) (modern French ingénieur), from engin (“contraption, device; machine; invention; creativity, ingenuity; intelligence; deception, ruse, trickery”) + -eor, -or (suffix forming agent nouns); engin is derived from Latin ingenium (“innate or.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)