engineer

UK: /ˌɛndʒɪˈnɪə^r/ US: /ˌɛndʒəˈnɪr/ ,(en′jə nēr′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

en•gi•neer /ˌɛndʒəˈnɪr/  n. [countable]

1. a person who is trained in any of various branches of engineering: a civil engineer;
   an electrical engineer.
2. a person who operates or is in charge of a railroad locomotive.

v. [~ + object]

3. to plan, build, construct, or manage as an engineer:
   This bridge is engineered for heavy traffic.
4. to arrange, manage, or carry through by skillful or clever means:
   He engineered the election of his friend.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

en•gi•neer  (en′jə nēr′), n. 

1. a person trained and skilled in the design, construction, and use of engines or machines, or in any of various branches of engineering:
   a mechanical engineer; a civil engineer.
2. Rail Transport a person who operates or is in charge of an engine.
3. Rail Transport Also called locomotive engineer. a person who operates or is in charge of a locomotive.
4. Military a member of an army, navy, or air force specially trained in engineering work.
5. a skillful manager:
   a political engineer.

v.t. 

6. to plan, construct, or manage as an engineer:
   He's engineered several big industrial projects.
7. to design or create using the techniques or methods of engineering:
   The motor has been engineered to run noiselessly.
8. to arrange, manage, or carry through by skillful or artful contrivance:
   He certainly engineered the election campaign beautifully.

• Medieval Latin ingeniātor, equivalent. to ingeniā(re) to design, devise (verb, verbal derivative of ingenium; see engine) + Latin -tor -tor
• Anglo-French engineor Old French engigneor
• 1350–1400; engine + -eer; replacing Middle English engin(e)our

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

engineer / ˌɛndʒɪˈnɪə/ noun

1. a person trained in any branch of the profession of engineering
2. the originator or manager of a situation, system, etc
3. a mechanic; person who repairs or services machines
4. the driver of a railway locomotive
5. an officer responsible for a ship's engines
6. Informal name: sapper a member of the armed forces, esp the army, trained in engineering and construction work

verb (transitive)

1. to originate, cause, or plan in a clever or devious manner: he engineered the minister's downfall
2. to design, plan, or construct as a professional engineer

Etymology: 14th Century: enginer, from Old French engigneor, from engignier to contrive, ultimately from Latin ingenium skill, talent; see engine