Engineering Vocabulary

noun a small change made to something in order to correct or improve it

adjective adjustable

• The company made an adjustment to their budget projections after reviewing the latest financial reports.
• I had to make an adjustment to my schedule to fit in a doctor's appointment.
• I had to tweak my workout routine for an adjustment in my fitness goals.
• Sometimes life throws unexpected challenges at us, and we have to make adjustments to keep moving forward.

noun the rear part of a ship or aircraft

adverb towards the stern or rear of a ship or aircraft

• The ship's crew gathered on the aft deck for a safety briefing.
• Let's hang out on the aft side of the boat, it's less crowded there.
• I'll meet you at the aft end of the party, that's where all the fun is.
• Looking back on the situation, he realized he had been sailing too close to the aft of the ship.

adjective located behind a ship

adverb in a backward direction

• The ship slowly moved astern to dock at the port.
• He reversed the car astern into the parking spot.
• She decided to back the truck astern to avoid hitting the pole.
• The project seemed to be moving astern as deadlines were missed.

noun a motor vehicle

adjective relating to automobiles or motor vehicles

• The auto industry is constantly evolving with new technological advancements.
• I need to get my auto serviced before going on a road trip.
• I love cruising around in my sweet auto.
• His mind works like an auto, constantly processing information.

noun the water or liquid that has been used for washing

verb not applicable

adjective not applicable

adverb not applicable

pronoun not applicable

preposition not applicable

conjunction not applicable

interjection not applicable

article not applicable

• The backwash from the river carried pollutants downstream.
• Don't drink from that cup, there's backwash in it.
• Ew, I'm not drinking that, it's got backwash.
• The negative comments created a backwash of criticism within the group.

noun an explosion

verb to explode or cause to explode

adjective relating to or characterized by a sudden outburst of anger or violence

• The blowup of the balloon was caused by excessive air pressure.
• I heard there was a huge blowup at the party last night.
• The blowup between them was so intense, it was like watching a soap opera.
• The blowup of social media influencers has led to a new era of advertising.

noun a physical action of starting construction on a new project

verb to begin construction on a new project

• The construction company is scheduled to break ground on the new office building next week.
• The builders are finally going to start digging for the new office building soon.
• They're gonna start digging for the new office building next week.
• The team is ready to break ground on the new project and get started on their work.

noun a structure or the process of constructing a structure

verb to construct or make something by putting parts or materials together

• The construction company plans to build a new office building next year.
• Let's build a sandcastle at the beach!
• I'm gonna build a sick gaming setup in my room.
• We need to build trust with our customers before launching the new product.

verb to construct or assemble something by putting parts or materials together

• The new office building was meticulously built according to the architect's plans.
• My brother-in-law built his own car from scratch.
• That skate park was built by a group of local skaters.
• Trust is like a bridge that needs to be built between two people.

adjective having the ability, fitness, or quality necessary to do or achieve a specified thing

• She has proven to be a capable leader in managing the project efficiently.
• I know he's capable of fixing the car, he's great with engines.
• Don't underestimate her, she's totally capable of acing the exam.
• His mind is a capable machine, always coming up with innovative solutions.

noun a tiny blood vessel that connects arterioles and venules

adjective relating to or resembling a hair; fine and slender

• The capillary is the smallest type of blood vessel in the body.
• I learned in biology class that capillaries are tiny blood vessels.
• My friend said her capillaries were bursting from stress.
• The capillary network of roads in the city allowed for easy access to different neighborhoods.

noun a conclusion or end

verb to shut something

adjective near in space or time

adverb near in distance or time

• Please make sure to close the door behind you when you leave.
• Hey, can you close the window? It's getting chilly in here.
• I'm going to close up shop for the night and head home.
• Their friendship grew so close that they were practically like siblings.

noun a structure or building that is being constructed or has been constructed

• The construction of the new office building is scheduled to begin next month.
• They're starting the construction on that new house down the street.
• The crew is gonna start the construction on the skate park next week.
• The construction of a strong argument requires solid evidence and logical reasoning.

noun a military defensive wall or earthwork built to oppose or resist a besieging enemy

• The countervallation of the enemy's fortifications proved to be a challenging task for the army.
• The countervallation of that building is going to take forever!
• I can't believe we have to do countervallation on this project, it's so tedious.
• Her countervallation against criticism showed her strength and resilience.

adjective relating to or having the shape of a cube; three-dimensional with sides of equal length

• The volume of the cube can be calculated using the formula for a cubic shape.
• I bought a cubic yard of soil for my garden.
• That new speaker has some serious cubic power!
• Her love for him was not just linear, but cubic in nature.

verb inflicting harm or injury

adjective causing harm or injury

• The damaging effects of the hurricane were felt for years to come.
• Gossiping about others can be really damaging to relationships.
• Spreading rumors is so damaging, dude.
• His harsh words were like a damaging blow to her self-esteem.

verb to show or prove something clearly through evidence or examples

• The scientist was able to demonstrate the effectiveness of the new drug through a series of carefully controlled experiments.
• She demonstrated how to do a perfect cartwheel in the gym.
• He really knows how to demonstrate his skills on the basketball court.
• Her actions demonstrate her commitment to the cause more than words ever could.

verb to create a plan, drawing, or model for something before it is made

• The architect meticulously designed the new office building.
• My friend designed a cool logo for his new business.
• I designed my outfit for the party tonight.
• She carefully designed her plan to achieve her goals.

noun the act of dislocating or the state of being dislocated

• The dislocation of the joint was severe and required immediate medical attention.
• I heard that Sarah's dislocation happened during a game of soccer.
• Dude, did you see that dislocation on the basketball court? It was gnarly.
• The dislocation of the team's star player due to injury really threw off their performance.

verb to continue moving forward in a vehicle

preposition indicating the direction in which a vehicle is moving

• Drivers must always follow the rules of the road and drive on the right side.
• Just drive on the main road and you'll reach the destination.
• Let's hop in the car and drive on over to the party.
• Despite facing obstacles, we must stay focused and drive on towards our goals.

noun a system consisting of the parts of an engine through which burned gases or steam are discharged

verb to drain of strength or energy, wear out, or fatigue greatly

• The long hours of work had caused him to feel physically exhausted.
• I'm so exhausted after that workout!
• I'm totally wiped out, I feel so exhausted.
• The endless meetings and deadlines were slowly exhausting her mentally.

noun a device used to secure or hold things together, such as a bolt or a screw

• The engineer used a specialized fastener to secure the components together.
• Make sure you use the right fastener for the job so things don't fall apart.
• I need to grab some of those thingamajig fasteners from the hardware store.
• Trust is the fastener that holds relationships together.

noun a small object that is used to keep things afloat in water

verb to rest or move on the surface of a liquid without sinking

• The buoyant material allowed the boat to float effortlessly on the water.
• I love to float in the pool on a hot summer day.
• Let's float down the river and enjoy the scenery.
• Her mind seemed to float in a state of bliss after meditating.

noun a parasitic flatworm

• The scientist attributed the unexpected results to a statistical fluke.
• I can't believe I won the lottery, it must have been a fluke!
• That goal was such a fluke, the goalie didn't even see it coming.
• Meeting you was a fluke, but I'm grateful for it every day.

noun a chief or principal source

• The fountainhead of the river is located deep in the forest.
• Let's go check out the fountainhead of the stream, it's really beautiful.
• I heard the fountainhead of that waterfall is a great spot for a swim.
• The artist considered nature to be the fountainhead of his inspiration.

noun a high rate of speed or action

adjective at maximum speed or capacity

• The machine was operating at full tilt to meet the production deadline.
• I was running around the office at full tilt trying to get everything done.
• She was driving her car at full tilt down the highway.
• His emotions were running at full tilt as he watched the intense movie scene.

noun the slope of a glacis

• The glacis of the fortification provided an additional layer of defense.
• We sat on the glacis of the hill and enjoyed the view.
• Let's hang out on the glacis, it's a cool spot to chill.
• The artist used light and shadow to create a glacis effect in the painting.

verb to set on fire or spark something to start burning

• The spark ignited the gas, causing a fire to break out in the building.
• The match ignited the fireworks, lighting up the sky with colors.
• His speech ignited the crowd, getting everyone pumped up for the game.
• Her passion for art ignited a creative spark within her, leading to a series of beautiful paintings.

noun a device or system for igniting a fuel mixture in an internal combustion engine

• The ignition of the engine is controlled by the key in the ignition switch.
• Make sure you turn the key in the ignition to start the car.
• I couldn't find my keys, so I couldn't get the ignition going.
• The success of the project relied on the ignition of new ideas from the team.

noun a unit of linear measure equal to one twelfth of a foot (2.54 cm)

• The carpenter measured the board to be exactly 36 inches long.
• I need to move my chair an inch to the left.
• I wouldn't give him an inch in the argument.
• She was willing to go the extra inch to make sure the project was a success.

verb to fill with air or gas, causing to expand or become enlarged

adjective puffed up or swollen

• The price of the product was inflated due to high demand.
• The cost was inflated because everyone wanted it.
• They totally inflated the price to rip us off.
• Her ego was so inflated after winning the award.

noun an example or single occurrence of something

verb not applicable

adjective not applicable

adverb not applicable

pronoun not applicable

preposition not applicable

conjunction not applicable

interjection not applicable

article not applicable

• In this instance, the defendant's actions clearly violated the law.
• For instance, let's say you're running late and need to catch a bus.
• I can't believe she ghosted him, that's just not a cool instance.
• His success in the competition was just one instance of his natural talent shining through.

verb to protect or shield from something harmful or undesirable

• The walls of the house were insulated to improve energy efficiency.
• We need to insulate the attic before winter comes.
• I'm going to insulate the garage so it's not freezing in there.
• She tried to insulate herself from the harsh realities of the world.

noun a point or level beyond which something does not or may not extend or pass

verb to set or serve as a limit to

• There is a strict limit on the number of attendees for the conference.
• I think there's a limit on how many people can enter the building at once.
• Dude, there's like a limit on how much pizza you can eat.
• She felt like there was no limit to her potential after receiving the award.

noun A point or level beyond which something does not or may not extend or pass.

verb To set or serve as a limit to.

• The speed limit on this road is 50 miles per hour.
• I think we're pushing the limits of our budget with this vacation.
• I can't believe he crossed the limit and got himself in trouble.
• There are no limits to what you can achieve if you put your mind to it.

adjective describing a quality or attribute that is capable of being changed or altered

• The parameters of the experiment are modifiable based on the researcher's needs.
• You can change the settings on the app, they're modifiable.
• Dude, that hairstyle is totally modifiable with some gel.
• The artist viewed the canvas as a modifiable space for endless creativity.

verb to change or alter something in order to improve it or make it more suitable for a particular purpose

• The experiment was conducted using a modified version of the original protocol.
• I used a slightly modified recipe for the cake and it turned out great.
• I had to tweak my resume a bit and add some modified skills to make it more appealing to employers.
• She had a modified outlook on life after her near-death experience.

adjective a word that describes or modifies a noun, such as 'patented' which describes something that has been granted a patent

• The company's latest product features patented technology that sets it apart from competitors.
• I heard they have a patented way to keep food fresh for longer.
• Their new gadget has some kind of patented gizmo that makes it super cool.
• Her patented charm always manages to win people over.

adjective relating to, based on, or involving proportion

• The amount of tax you pay is directly proportional to your income.
• The more hours you work, the more money you make - it's proportional.
• If you study harder, your grades will go up in a proportional way.
• In relationships, trust should be proportional to loyalty.

noun a track or set of tracks made of steel rails along which passenger and freight trains run

• The railway system in this country is known for its efficiency and punctuality.
• Let's take the railway to get to the city center, it's much faster than driving.
• I heard there's a shortcut through the railway tracks, but it's risky.
• The railway of life can take us on unexpected journeys, full of twists and turns.

noun a person or thing regarded as being exceptional or distinctive

adjective better, greater, or otherwise different from what is usual

• In this particular scenario, we need to consider a special case that requires a different approach.
• Hey, there's a special case we need to look at before making any decisions.
• Yo, this is a special case we gotta handle differently.
• Just like in a deck of cards, the joker is a special case that can change the game.

verb to clearly and precisely indicate or define something

• Please specify the exact measurements needed for the project.
• Can you specify which movie you want to watch tonight?
• Just specify your favorite toppings for the pizza.
• She couldn't specify the source of her anxiety, it was just a feeling she couldn't shake.

verb to be completely covered or hidden under a liquid

adjective completely covered or hidden under a liquid

• The diver submerged himself in the deep waters to explore the coral reef.
• I submerged my phone in rice after dropping it in water.
• She was totally submerged in her book and didn't hear us calling her.
• The artist submerged his emotions into his painting, creating a masterpiece.

noun a term used to refer to objects or phenomena that move faster than the speed of sound

• The supersonics are aircraft that can travel faster than the speed of sound.
• I heard the supersonics are playing in town next week.
• Those supersonics players are really killing it on the court.
• The team's performance was like a supersonics flight, soaring high above the competition.

verb to forcibly put an end to something

• The government attempted to suppress the rebellion by deploying additional troops.
• She tried to suppress her laughter during the serious meeting.
• He's always trying to suppress his true feelings to fit in with the cool kids.
• It's hard to suppress the urge to eat the entire chocolate cake in one sitting.

noun a long, thin strand of cotton, nylon, or other fibers used for sewing or weaving

verb to pass a thread through the eye of a needle or through a small opening

• The tailor carefully matched the thread to the fabric before sewing.
• I need to buy some more thread for my sewing project.
• Hey, can you pass me that thread over there?
• The thread of the story was woven through each chapter, connecting all the characters together.

noun the upper side or part of something

adjective located on or pertaining to the upper side or part of something

• The topside of the ship offers a great view of the ocean.
• Let's hang out on the topside of the boat for a better breeze.
• I love chilling on the topside of the yacht, it's so peaceful.
• She always tries to stay on the topside of things, never letting problems get her down.

noun the action or process of moving people or goods from one place to another

adjective relating to the movement of people or goods from one place to another

• The city council is discussing improvements to public transportation in order to reduce traffic congestion.
• I usually take public transportation to get to work because parking downtown is too expensive.
• I missed the last bus, so now I have to Uber home.
• His new job offers great opportunities for career transportation.

verb the action of performing a task or job

adjective describing someone or something that is currently in the act of performing a task or job

• She is diligently working on the project to meet the deadline.
• He's working on his car in the garage right now.
• I'm working on getting my grades up before the end of the semester.
• The team is working together like a well-oiled machine to achieve their goals.

noun the integer 0; a value or symbol representing the absence of any quantity or magnitude

adjective having no quantity or magnitude; of, relating to, or denoting a point on a scale at which there is no value or quantity and from which negative numbers are reckoned

• The temperature dropped to zero degrees Celsius last night.
• I have zero interest in watching that movie.
• I'm feeling like a zero after staying up all night studying.
• Her chances of winning the competition are close to zero.

noun a slang term used to indicate that everything is satisfactory or acceptable

• After conducting a thorough inspection, I can confirm that everything is A-OK.
• Don't worry, the plan is all set and everything is A-OK.
• Hey, no need to stress, everything is A-OK.
• Despite facing some challenges, she managed to keep her spirits up and stay A-OK.

noun a slang term for a heavy blow or strike

• The tonking of the drum created a rhythmic pattern in the music.
• I heard you tonking on the table with your pencil during the meeting.
• Stop tonking around and focus on your work.
• Her words tonked like a hammer on his fragile ego.

noun a loud, sharp sound or noise

verb to move or be thrown with great force

adverb in a sudden, forceful manner

• The chef added a spang of salt to enhance the flavor of the dish.
• I just need a spang more sugar to make this dessert perfect.
• Can you pass me a spang of ketchup for my fries?
• The unexpected twist in the plot added a spang of excitement to the story.

noun a joint or connection between two parts that is not aligned or continuous

• The abjoint between the two buildings was reinforced to ensure structural stability.
• I tripped over the abjoint in the sidewalk and almost fell.
• Watch out for that abjoint, it's a real ankle-twister.
• The abjoint in their relationship caused tension and distance between them.

verb past tense of abrade

adjective worn away by friction; scraped

• The surface of the metal was abraded by the abrasive material.
• Her knees were abraded after falling on the pavement.
• I can't wear these jeans anymore, they're too abraded.
• His pride was abraded by the harsh criticism.

noun a person, place, thing, or idea

adjective a word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun

• The investigation concluded that the fire was caused by accidental means.
• She explained that the broken vase was an accidental means of expressing her frustration.
• I tripped over my own feet, it was just an accidental means of ending up on the floor.
• His decision to leave the company was an accidental means of finding his true passion.

adverb modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb to indicate the manner or degree of the action or description

• It is important to adequately address all aspects of the project in order to ensure its success.
• Make sure you pack adequately for the trip so you have everything you need.
• I didn't study enough for the test, so I didn't do adequately.
• Her words were not adequately conveying the depth of her emotions.

noun aeroscepses - a plural form of the noun aeroscepsis, which refers to the removal of foreign bodies from the air passages

• The study of aeroscepses is crucial for understanding air quality and pollution.
• I heard that aeroscepses is the new field of study that everyone is talking about.
• I have no idea what aeroscepses even means, do you?
• His mind was like a swirling mass of aeroscepses, hard to navigate and understand.