Engineering Terms Vocabulary with Meanings – A to Z

Engineering is the application of math and science principles to design and build equipment, structures, and other items.

There are different disciplines of engineering each with a more specific emphasis on particular areas of applied mathematics, applied science, and types of application. 

We have prepared a list of some simple daily used vocabulary words for young engineers to get them started with the world of engineering.

Engineering Vocabulary Words A to Z

Following is a glossary of 20+ common engineering terms with their meanings for upcoming Engineers.

Word Meaning
collaborate work together on a common enterprise or project
column a tall vertical cylindrical structure standing upright
magnitude the property of relative size or extent
material the substance that goes into the makeup of a physical object
mechanics the branch of physics concerned with the motion of bodies
combustion a reaction of a substance with oxygen to give heat and light
arch a curved masonry construction for spanning an opening
architect someone who creates plans to be used in making something
buckle bend out of shape, as under pressure or from heat
cement a building material that is a powder made of a mixture of calcined limestone and clay; used with water and sand or gravel to make concrete and mortar
circuit an electrical device providing a path for current to flow
component one of the individual parts making up a larger entity
assembly the act of constructing something, as a piece of machinery
beam a long thick piece of material used in construction
brainstorm try to solve a problem by thinking intensely about it
bridge structure allowing passage across a river or other obstacle
composite consisting of separate interconnected parts
compression the process of becoming smaller or pressed together
machinery mechanical or electrical devices collectively
mechanism device consisting of a piece of machinery
model a hypothetical description of a complex entity or process
modeling the act of representing something
control a mechanism that directs the operation of a machine
criterion the ideal in terms of which something can be judged
current a flow of electricity through a conductor
cylinder a chamber within which a piston moves
dimension the magnitude of something in a particular direction
dome a hemispherical roof
experiment the act of conducting a controlled test or investigation
fatigue a weakened state caused by long stress on a material
force influence that results in motion, stress, etc. when applied
data a collection of facts from which conclusions may be drawn
define decide upon or fix with certainty
power (physics) the rate of doing work
deform alter the shape of (something) by stress
delimit determine the essential quality of
design the act of working out the form of something
velocity distance traveled per unit time in one direction
watt a unit of power equal to 1 joule per second
friction the resistance when a body is moved in contact with another
sketch preliminary drawing for later elaboration
software written programs operating on a computer system
solar energy energy from the sun that is converted into thermal or electrical energy
speed a rate at which something happens
fulcrum the pivot about which a lever turns
gear a toothed wheel that engages another toothed mechanism
heat a form of energy transferred by a difference in temperature
hydraulics study of the mechanics of fluids
impact a forceful consequence; a strong effect
inclined plane a simple machine for elevating objects
constraint a limitation or restriction
construction the act of building something
lever a simple machine giving a mechanical advantage on a fulcrum
load weight to be borne or conveyed
machine a device for overcoming resistance by applying force
momentum the product of a body’s mass and its velocity
motion a change of position not entailing a change of location
open ended without fixed limits or restrictions
optimize make optimal; get the most out of; use best
patent a document granting an inventor sole rights to an invention
engine motor that converts energy into work or motion
engineering applying scientific knowledge to practical problems
plate structural member consisting of a horizontal beam that provides bearing and anchorage
pollution contamination of the natural environment
propulsion the act of moving forward
pulley a wheel with a groove in which a rope can run
pump a device that moves fluid or gas by pressure or suction
purpose an anticipated outcome that guides your planned actions
raw material material suitable for manufacture or use or finishing

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