engineering
gb/ˈɛnd͡ʒənˈɪɹɪŋ/ us/ˈɛnd͡ʒənˈɪɹɪŋ/
B1
English
~ 2000
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
Designing and building using science
Using science and math to make and build things like bridges, machines, or software.
Usage pattern:
[someone] studies engineering
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'engineering' (the field) with 'engine' (the machine).
Synonyms
applied science (Broader term that includes other practical uses of science beyond engineering)
Antonyms
art (Contrasts with creative work focused on aesthetics rather than technical function)
Collocations
civil engineering
|mechanical engineering
|software engineering
|genetic engineering
|engineering degree
Themes
science
|technology
|education
Examples
- She decided to pursue a career in mechanical engineering.
- Engineering has transformed the way we live and travel.
- The new bridge is a remarkable feat of engineering.
- He studied engineering at a top university.
- Software engineering is in high demand today.
Learner examples
- My brother studies engineering at school.
- Engineering helps make new machines.
- She wants to work in engineering.
- Engineering is important for building roads.
- I read a book about engineering.
Noun
technical
B2
action
2
Designing efficient processes or systems
Planning and making a process or system work better and faster.
Usage pattern:
[someone] applies engineering to [a process]
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize that 'engineering' can apply to non-physical systems like computer security or business processes.
Synonyms
system design (Focuses specifically on creating the structure of a system rather than broader engineering)
Antonyms
mismanagement (Poor or ineffective organization of processes)
Collocations
social engineering
|reverse engineering
|process engineering
Themes
business
|technology
|work
Examples
- The company's success was due to careful engineering of its supply chain.
- Social engineering attacks trick people into giving sensitive information.
- Reverse engineering helps understand how a product works.
Learner examples
- They used engineering to make the work faster.
- Social engineering can be dangerous online.
- Reverse engineering can help improve products.
Grammar
Expressions
reverse engineering
1/ɹɪvˈɚs ˈɛnd͡ʒənˈɪɹɪŋ/
fixed phrase
technical
Analyzing a product to copy or improve it
Taking something apart to see how it works so you can make it again or make it better.
Examples
- The team used reverse engineering to study their competitor's software.
- Reverse engineering can reveal how a machine was built.
social engineering
1/sˈoʊʃəl ˈɛnd͡ʒənˈɪɹɪŋ/
fixed phrase
technical
Tricking people to get private information
Tricking people into telling secrets or private information instead of hacking computers directly.
Examples
- The hacker used social engineering to get the password.
- The attack was carried out through social engineering rather than hacking the system directly.
- Social engineering often involves pretending to be someone you trust.
- Social engineering scams are becoming more common online.
genetic engineering
1/d͡ʒənˈɛtɪk ˈɛnd͡ʒənˈɪɹɪŋ/
fixed phrase
technical
Changing an organism's genes on purpose
Changing the genes of a plant, animal, or other living thing on purpose.
Examples
- Genetic engineering has created crops that resist pests.
- Genetic engineering has led to crops that resist disease.
- Genetic engineering has produced crops resistant to pests.
- Some people worry about the effects of genetic engineering on nature.
- Scientists are exploring genetic engineering to treat illnesses.
- The debate over genetic engineering includes ethical concerns.