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.

WordMeaning
collaboratework together on a common enterprise or project
columna tall vertical cylindrical structure standing upright
magnitudethe property of relative size or extent
materialthe substance that goes into the makeup of a physical object
mechanicsthe branch of physics concerned with the motion of bodies
combustiona reaction of a substance with oxygen to give heat and light
archa curved masonry construction for spanning an opening
architectsomeone who creates plans to be used in making something
bucklebend out of shape, as under pressure or from heat
cementa 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
circuitan electrical device providing a path for current to flow
componentone of the individual parts making up a larger entity
assemblythe act of constructing something, as a piece of machinery
beama long thick piece of material used in construction
brainstormtry to solve a problem by thinking intensely about it
bridgestructure allowing passage across a river or other obstacle
compositeconsisting of separate interconnected parts
compressionthe process of becoming smaller or pressed together
machinerymechanical or electrical devices collectively
mechanismdevice consisting of a piece of machinery
modela hypothetical description of a complex entity or process
modelingthe act of representing something
controla mechanism that directs the operation of a machine
criterionthe ideal in terms of which something can be judged
currenta flow of electricity through a conductor
cylindera chamber within which a piston moves
dimensionthe magnitude of something in a particular direction
domea hemispherical roof
experimentthe act of conducting a controlled test or investigation
fatiguea weakened state caused by long stress on a material
forceinfluence that results in motion, stress, etc. when applied
dataa collection of facts from which conclusions may be drawn
definedecide upon or fix with certainty
power(physics) the rate of doing work
deformalter the shape of (something) by stress
delimitdetermine the essential quality of
designthe act of working out the form of something
velocitydistance traveled per unit time in one direction
watta unit of power equal to 1 joule per second
frictionthe resistance when a body is moved in contact with another
sketchpreliminary drawing for later elaboration
softwarewritten programs operating on a computer system
solar energyenergy from the sun that is converted into thermal or electrical energy
speeda rate at which something happens
fulcrumthe pivot about which a lever turns
geara toothed wheel that engages another toothed mechanism
heata form of energy transferred by a difference in temperature
hydraulicsstudy of the mechanics of fluids
impacta forceful consequence; a strong effect
inclined planea simple machine for elevating objects
constrainta limitation or restriction
constructionthe act of building something
levera simple machine giving a mechanical advantage on a fulcrum
loadweight to be borne or conveyed
machinea device for overcoming resistance by applying force
momentumthe product of a body’s mass and its velocity
motiona change of position not entailing a change of location
open endedwithout fixed limits or restrictions
optimizemake optimal; get the most out of; use best
patenta document granting an inventor sole rights to an invention
enginemotor that converts energy into work or motion
engineeringapplying scientific knowledge to practical problems
platestructural member consisting of a horizontal beam that provides bearing and anchorage
pollutioncontamination of the natural environment
propulsionthe act of moving forward
pulleya wheel with a groove in which a rope can run
pumpa device that moves fluid or gas by pressure or suction
purposean anticipated outcome that guides your planned actions
raw materialmaterial suitable for manufacture or use or finishing

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