: an engineer whose training or occupation is in the design and construction especially of public works (such as roads or harbors)
civil engineering
noun
: a branch of engineering concerned primarily with public works (as land surveying, the building of highways, bridges, waterways, or harbors, or the provision of artificial water supply, sewage disposal, irrigation) but also embracing private enterprises (as railroad and airport building, private building construction, farm drainage)
Cite this Entry
“Civil engineer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/civil%20engineer. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
