Words / B2

enj-i-NEERR-ing/ˌendʒɪˈnɪərɪŋ/

Engineering is designing and building machines, structures, or systems: civil engineering; software engineering. Engineer is already in the dictionary. Science is wider; technology is the application. Uncountable as a field. Do not call changing a plug engineering. UK: chartered engineer as a professional status.

Meaning

The work of designing and building machines, structures, or systems.

Examples

• “She studied civil engineering and now works on flood defences.”
• “Software engineering standards were part of the audit, not only the design sketches.”

Good to know

Uncountable field: engineering; civil / mechanical / software engineering. Person: engineer. DIY ≠ engineering. Professional: chartered engineer.

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