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engineer

n. · v.
US //ˈɛndʒəˈnɪɹ// UK //ˌɛndʒɪnˈiə// en·gi·neer
  1. 1 technical professional (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    a person whose job is to design, build, or repair machines, engines, or structures like bridges and roads.

    a professional practitioner qualified in a branch of engineering, such as civil, mechanical, or electrical engineering.

    Example

    The software engineer spent the afternoon fixing bugs in the new mobile app.

    Example

    The lead structural engineer insisted on conducting additional stress tests before approving the final blueprints for the suspension bridge.
  2. 2 train driver (n.)
    B1 Intermediate American English

    the person who drives a train engine.

    the person responsible for operating a locomotive engine.

    Example

    The engineer blew the train's whistle as it approached the station.

    Example

    The locomotive engineer monitored the pressure gauges closely while navigating the steep mountain pass during the winter storm.
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  1. 3 military specialist (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Military

    a soldier who builds or destroys bridges, roads, and other structures during a war.

    a soldier trained in military engineering tasks, including the construction of fortifications and the clearance of obstacles.

    Example

    The army engineers worked quickly to build a temporary bridge across the river.

    Example

    Combat engineers were deployed to the front lines to clear the minefield and establish a secure supply route for the infantry.
    • sapper
  2. 4 to design or build (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to design or build something using scientific or technical skills.

    to apply engineering principles to the design, construction, or maintenance of a machine or structure.

    Example

    The car was engineered to be as light and fast as possible.

    Example

    The aerospace firm engineered a new propulsion system that significantly reduced fuel consumption during long-haul flights.
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 natural quality, nature; intelligence, natural capacity; ability, skill, talent; (Medieval Latin) engine; machine”), from in- (prefix meaning ‘in, inside, within’) + gignere (the present active infinitive of gignō (“to bear, beget, give birth to; to cause, produce, yield”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European ǵenh₁- (“to beget, give birth to; to produce”)) + -ium (suffix forming abstract nouns); and * from engine + -er (occupational suffix); and * from engine + -eer (suffix forming nouns denoting people associated with, concerned with, or engaged in specified activities), possibly modelled after Middle French ingénieur (a variant of Middle French, Old French engigneour; see above), and Italian ingegniere (“engineer”) (obsolete; modern Italian ingegnere). The verb is derived from the noun. Cognates * Medieval Latin, Late Latin ingeniārius (“engineer”) * Medieval Latin ingeniator (“one constructing or using an engine”) * Old Occitan engenhador, enginhador * Portuguese engenhador (obsolete), engenheiro (“engineer”) * Spanish engeñero (obsolete), ingeniero (“engineer”)

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