engineer Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a person who uses scientific knowledge to solve practical problems
    applied scientist; technologist.
  2. noun the operator of a railway locomotive
    locomotive engineer; railroad engineer; engine driver.
  3. verb design as an engineer
    • He engineered the water supply project
  4. verb plan and direct (a complex undertaking)
    organize; direct; organise; mastermind; orchestrate.
    • he masterminded the robbery

WordNet

En`gi*neer" noun
Etymology
OE. enginer: cf. OF. engignier, F. ingénieur. See Engine, n.
Definitions
  1. A person skilled in the principles and practice of any branch of engineering. See under Engineering, n.
  2. One who manages as engine, particularly a steam engine; an engine driver.
  3. One who carries through an enterprise by skillful or artful contrivance; an efficient manager. Colloq.
En`gi*neer" transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Engineered ; present participle & verbal noun Engineering
Definitions
  1. To lay out or construct, as an engineer; to perform the work of an engineer on; as, to engineer a road. J. Hamilton.
  2. To use contrivance and effort for; to guide the course of; to manage; as, to engineer a bill through Congress. Colloq.

Webster 1913