Engineering - Middle School

Learn these terms and build a solid engineering vocabulary. This comprehensive list covers simple machines, electricity, force and momentum, building materials and structural elements, and much more. This list is sure to cement your understanding of engineering.
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. accuracy
    the quality of being near to the true value
  2. aerodynamics
    the branch of mechanics that deals with the motion of gases
  3. aerospace
    the atmosphere and outer space considered as a whole
  4. algorithm
    a precise rule specifying how to solve some problem
  5. alloy
    a mixture containing two or more metallic elements
  6. alternative energy
    energy derived from sources that do not use up natural resources or harm the environment
  7. aluminum
    a silvery, flexible, metallic element
  8. ampere
    the basic unit of electric current adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
  9. analog
    having an output that is proportional to the input
  10. angle
    the space between two lines or planes that intersect
  11. application
    a program that gives a computer instructions
  12. aqueduct
    a conduit that carries water over a valley
  13. arch
    a curved masonry construction for spanning an opening
  14. architect
    someone who creates plans to be used in making something
  15. assembly
    the act of constructing something, as a piece of machinery
  16. atmospheric pressure
    the pressure exerted by the atmosphere
  17. automation
    the act of implementing the control of equipment
  18. beam
    a long thick piece of material used in construction
  19. bedrock
    solid unweathered stone beneath surface deposits of soil
  20. belt
    loop of flexible material between rotating shafts or pulleys
  21. bend
    cause (a plastic object) to assume a crooked or angular form
  22. bends
    pain resulting from rapid change in pressure
  23. biomass
    plant materials and animal waste used as fuel
  24. brace
    a structural member used to stiffen a framework
  25. brainstorm
    try to solve a problem by thinking intensely about it
  26. bridge
    structure allowing passage across a river or other obstacle
  27. brittle
    having little elasticity
  28. buckle
    bend out of shape, as under pressure or from heat
  29. buttress
    a support usually of stone or brick
  30. cable
    a very strong thick rope made of twisted hemp or steel wire
  31. caisson
    large watertight chamber used for construction under water
  32. cast iron
    an alloy of iron containing so much carbon that it is brittle and so cannot be wrought but must be shaped by casting
  33. 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
  34. chemical engineering
    the branch of engineering that is concerned with the design and construction and operation of the plants and machinery used in industrial chemical processes
  35. circuit
    an electrical device providing a path for current to flow
  36. cistern
    an artificial reservoir for storing liquids
  37. civil engineer
    an engineer trained to design and construct and maintain public works (roads or bridges or harbors etc.)
  38. civil engineering
    the branch of engineering concerned with the design and construction of such public works as dams or bridges
  39. collaborate
    work together on a common enterprise or project
  40. column
    a tall vertical cylindrical structure standing upright
  41. combustion
    a reaction of a substance with oxygen to give heat and light
  42. component
    one of the individual parts making up a larger entity
  43. composite
    consisting of separate interconnected parts
  44. compression
    the process of becoming smaller or pressed together
  45. compressor
    a mechanical device that compresses gasses
  46. computer science
    the branch of engineering science that studies (with the aid of computers) computable processes and structures
  47. concrete
    a strong hard building material made with gravel and cement
  48. conduction
    the transmission of heat or electricity or sound
  49. conductor
    a substance that readily serves as a medium for transmission
  50. configuration
    an arrangement of parts or elements
  51. consensus
    agreement in the judgment reached by a group as a whole
  52. constraint
    a limitation or restriction
  53. construction
    the act of building something
  54. contractor
    someone who is hired to build things
  55. control
    a mechanism that directs the operation of a machine
  56. convection
    transfer of heat caused by molecular motion in liquid or gas
  57. crank
    a hand tool consisting of a rotating shaft with parallel handle
  58. criterion
    the ideal in terms of which something can be judged
  59. current
    a flow of electricity through a conductor
  60. cylinder
    a chamber within which a piston moves
  61. dam
    a barrier constructed to contain the flow of water
  62. data
    a collection of facts from which conclusions may be drawn
  63. decompose
    separate into constituent elements or parts
  64. define
    show the form or outline of
  65. deform
    alter the shape of (something) by stress
  66. deformation
    alteration in the shape or dimensions of an object as a result of the application of stress to it
  67. delimit
    determine the essential quality of
  68. design
    the act of working out the form of something
  69. designer
    someone who creates plans to be used in making something
  70. digital
    using or characteristic of computerized technology
  71. dimension
    the magnitude of something in a particular direction
  72. dome
    a hemispherical roof
  73. dynamics
    mechanics concerned with forces that cause motions of bodies
  74. dynamite
    an explosive that contains nitroglycerin
  75. efficiency
    the ratio of the output to the input of any system
  76. efficient
    being effective without wasting time, effort, or expense
  77. elasticity
    the tendency of a body to return to its original shape
  78. electrical energy
    energy made available by the flow of electric charge through a conductor
  79. electrical engineering
    the branch of engineering science that studies the uses of electricity and the equipment for power generation and distribution and the control of machines and communication
  80. electricity
    a physical phenomenon that can produce light, heat and power
  81. electromagnet
    a temporary magnet made by coiling wire around an iron core
  82. electromagnetism
    a physical force produced from the interaction of charged particles
  83. electronic
    relating to or operating by a controlled current
  84. elongation
    the act of lengthening something
  85. energy
    any source of usable power
  86. engine
    motor that converts energy into work or motion
  87. engineering
    applying scientific knowledge to practical problems
  88. entropy
    energy in a system no longer available for mechanical work
  89. experiment
    the act of conducting a controlled test or investigation
  90. fatigue
    a weakened state caused by long stress on a material
  91. feedback
    the process in which output of a system is returned to input
  92. filter
    device that removes something from what passes through it
  93. finishing
    a decorative texture or appearance of a surface
  94. first law of thermodynamics
    the fundamental principle of physics that the total energy of an isolated system is constant despite internal changes
  95. flowchart
    a diagram showing a sequence of operations or a progression
  96. flow rate
    the amount of fluid that flows in a given time
  97. force
    influence that results in motion, stress, etc. when applied
  98. fossil fuel
    energy-producing substance derived from preserved organisms
  99. friction
    the resistance when a body is moved in contact with another
  100. fuel
    a substance that can be consumed to produce energy
  101. fuel cell
    cell that produces electricity by oxidation of fuel
  102. fulcrum
    the pivot about which a lever turns
  103. gear
    a toothed wheel that engages another toothed mechanism
  104. generator
    engine that converts mechanical energy into electricity
  105. geothermal energy
    energy derived from the heat in the interior of the earth
  106. girder
    a beam used as a main support in a structure
  107. gusset
    a metal plate used to strengthen a joist
  108. heat
    a form of energy transferred by a difference in temperature
  109. hydraulics
    the study of the mechanics of fluids
  110. impact
    a forceful consequence; a strong effect
  111. implement
    a piece of equipment or a tool used for a specific purpose
  112. inclined plane
    a simple machine for elevating objects
  113. induction
    an electrical phenomenon generating an electromotive force
  114. inelastic
    not able to resume shape after stretching or compression
  115. inertia
    the tendency of something to stay in rest or motion
  116. infrastructure
    basic facilities needed for the functioning of a country
  117. input
    signal going into an electronic system
  118. inspection
    a formal or official examination
  119. insulator
    a material with little electrical or thermal conductivity
  120. interface
    circuit consisting of hardware linking a device with another
  121. internal combustion
    the combustion of fuel inside a cylinder
  122. interpretation
    an explanation that results from making sense of something
  123. invention
    a creation resulting from study and experimentation
  124. iron
    a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element
  125. joint
    junction by which parts or objects are linked together
  126. joule
    a unit of electrical energy
  127. kinetic energy
    the mechanical energy that a body has by virtue of motion
  128. lathe
    a machine tool for shaping a piece of rotating wood or metal
  129. lever
    a simple machine giving a mechanical advantage on a fulcrum
  130. load
    weight to be borne or conveyed
  131. load-bearing
    capable of bearing a structural load
  132. machine
    a device for overcoming resistance by applying force
  133. machinery
    mechanical or electrical devices collectively
  134. magnitude
    the property of relative size or extent
  135. manufacture
    put together out of artificial or natural components
  136. manufacturing
    the act of making something (a product) from raw materials
  137. masonry
    structure built of stone or brick
  138. material
    the substance that goes into the makeup of a physical object
  139. mechanical advantage
    the ratio of the force exerted by a machine to the force applied to it
  140. mechanical engineering
    the branch of engineering that deals with the design and construction and operation of machinery
  141. mechanics
    the branch of physics concerned with the motion of bodies
  142. mechanism
    device consisting of a piece of machinery
  143. microchip
    a tiny piece of material used to make an integrated circuit
  144. microelectronics
    the branch of electronics that deals with miniature components
  145. microprocessor
    a tiny electronic device handling a computer's logical functions
  146. model
    a hypothetical description of a complex entity or process
  147. modeling
    the act of representing something
  148. moment
    a turning force produced by an object acting at a distance
  149. momentum
    the product of a body's mass and its velocity
  150. motion
    a change of position not entailing a change of location
  151. ohm
    a unit of electrical resistance
  152. open-ended
    without fixed limits or restrictions
  153. optimize
    make optimal; get the most out of; use best
  154. output
    signal that comes out of an electronic system
  155. patent
    a document granting an inventor sole rights to an invention
  156. perimeter
    the size of something as given by the distance around it
  157. pier
    a support for two adjacent bridge spans
  158. pile
    a column that is driven into the ground to provide support
  159. pile driver
    a machine that drives piling into the ground
  160. piston
    mechanical device that has a plunging or thrusting motion
  161. plastic
    synthetic material that can be molded into objects
  162. plate
    structural member consisting of a horizontal beam that provides bearing and anchorage
  163. plywood
    a laminate made of thin layers of wood
  164. polarity
    the state of having an indicated electrical charge
  165. pollution
    contamination of the natural environment
  166. potable
    suitable for drinking
  167. potential energy
    energy stored by a body or system by virtue of its position
  168. power
    (physics) the rate of doing work
  169. precision
    the quality of being exact
  170. pressure
    the act of putting pressure on something
  171. probability
    a measure of how likely it is that some event will occur
  172. problem
    a question raised for consideration or solution
  173. projectile
    impelling or impelled forward
  174. proposal
    something suggested, as a plan or assumption
  175. propulsion
    the act of moving forward
  176. pulley
    a wheel with a groove in which a rope can run
  177. pump
    a device that moves fluid or gas by pressure or suction
  178. purpose
    an anticipated outcome that guides your planned actions
  179. qualitative
    involving distinguishing attributes
  180. quality control
    maintenance of standards of quality of manufactured goods
  181. quantitative
    expressible as an amount that can be measured
  182. radiation
    energy transmitted in the form of rays or waves or particles
  183. raw material
    material suitable for manufacture or use or finishing
  184. recycling
    the act of processing used materials to create something new
  185. reliability
    the quality of being dependable
  186. renewable resource
    any natural resource (as wood or solar energy) that can be replenished naturally with the passage of time
  187. reproducible
    capable of being reproduced
  188. reservoir
    tank used for collecting and storing a liquid
  189. resilience
    ability of a material to return to its original shape
  190. resistance
    any mechanical force that tends to slow or oppose motion
  191. resistor
    an electrical device that resists the flow of electrical current
  192. Richter scale
    a system once used to measure the strength of an earthquake
  193. rigid
    incapable of or resistant to bending
  194. robot
    a mechanism that can move automatically
  195. screw
    a simple machine with a threaded cylindrical rod and hole
  196. second law of thermodynamics
    a law stating that mechanical work can be derived from a body only when that body interacts with another at a lower temperature; any spontaneous process results in an increase of entropy
  197. semiconductor
    a substance as germanium or silicon whose electrical conductivity is intermediate between that of a metal and an insulator; its conductivity increases with temperature and in the presence of impurities
  198. sensor
    a device that responds to a signal or stimulus
  199. series circuit
    a circuit having its parts connected serially
  200. shear
    a deformation of an object in which parallel planes shift
  201. shell
    a metal sheathing of uniform thickness
  202. silt
    mud or clay or small rocks deposited by a river or lake
  203. simple machine
    a device for overcoming resistance at one point by applying force at some other point
  204. simulation
    representing the real world by a computer program
  205. sketch
    preliminary drawing for later elaboration
  206. slab
    block consisting of a thick piece of something
  207. software
    written programs operating on a computer system
  208. solar cell
    a cell that converts solar energy into electrical energy
  209. solar energy
    energy from the sun that is converted into thermal or electrical energy
  210. solution
    a method for solving a problem
  211. span
    a bridge
  212. speed
    a rate at which something happens
  213. spire
    a tall tower that forms the superstructure of a building
  214. sprocket
    tooth on the rim of gear wheel
  215. stable
    resistant to change of position or condition
  216. stainless steel
    steel containing chromium that makes it resistant to corrosion
  217. statics
    the branch of mechanics concerned with forces in equilibrium
  218. steel
    an alloy of iron with small amounts of carbon
  219. stiff
    incapable of or resistant to bending
  220. story
    a part of a building with rooms on the same level
  221. strain
    deformation of a body under the action of applied forces
  222. stress
    (physics) force that produces strain on a physical body
  223. strong
    having strength or power greater than average or expected
  224. structure
    a complex entity made of many parts
  225. strut
    brace consisting of a bar or rod used to resist compression
  226. suspension bridge
    a bridge that has a roadway supported by cables that are anchored at both ends
  227. sustainability
    the capacity of being prolonged
  228. sustainable
    capable of being prolonged
  229. switch
    device for making or breaking the connections in a circuit
  230. synthetic
    not of natural origin; prepared or made artificially
  231. system
    a group of independent elements comprising a unified whole
  232. technology
    the practical application of science to commerce or industry
  233. tensile strength
    the strength of material expressed as the greatest longitudinal stress it can bear without tearing apart
  234. tension
    a stress that produces an elongation of a physical body
  235. thermodynamics
    physics concerned with heat and other forms of energy
  236. tie
    a horizontal beam to prevent structural members from spreading
  237. timber
    the wood of trees prepared for use as building material
  238. torque
    a twisting force
  239. torsion
    a twisting force
  240. toughness
    the elasticity and hardness of a metal object
  241. tower
    a structure taller than its diameter
  242. tradeoff
    an exchange that occurs as a compromise
  243. transistor
    a semiconductor device capable of amplification
  244. trial
    the act of testing something
  245. truss
    a rigid framework of beams that supports a structure
  246. unstable
    lacking fixity or firmness
  247. valve
    a mechanical device for controlling the flow of a fluid
  248. variable
    a quantity that can assume any of a set of values
  249. velocity
    distance traveled per unit time in one direction
  250. viable
    capable of being done with means at hand
  251. viscosity
    resistance of a liquid to flowing
  252. volt
    a unit for measuring the force of an electric current
  253. voltage
    the rate at which energy is drawn from a source
  254. voltmeter
    meter that measures the potential difference between two points
  255. volume
    the amount of 3-dimensional space occupied by an object
  256. watt
    a unit of power equal to 1 joule per second
  257. wedge
    something solid that can be pushed between two things
  258. wheel and axle
    hoist so arranged that a rope unwinding from a wheel is wound onto a cylindrical drum or shaft coaxial with the wheel
  259. work
    a manifestation of energy
  260. wrought iron
    iron having a low carbon content that is tough and malleable and so can be forged and welded
Created on Fri Mar 03 15:50:05 EST 2017 (updated Thu Apr 20 11:26:21 EDT 2017)

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