mechanical engineering
the branch of engineering concerned with the design, construction, and operation of machines and machinery
www.memagazine.org
Collins Discovery Encyclopedia, 1st edition © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
Mechanical engineering
An engineering discipline that involves the application of principles of physics for analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. Mechanical engineers require a solid understanding of key concepts including mechanics, kinematics, thermodynamics, and energy, and they use these principles in the design and analysis of automobiles, aircraft, heating and cooling systems, manufacturing plants, industrial equipment and machinery, medical devices, and more.
Illustrated Dictionary of Architecture Copyright © 2012, 2002, 1998 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved
mechanical engineering
[mi′kan·ə·kəl ‚en·jə′nir·iŋ] (mechanical engineering)
The branch of engineering concerned with energy conversion, mechanics, and mechanisms and devices for diverse applications, ranging form automotive parts through nanomachines.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Mechanical engineering
One of several recognized fields of engineering. To grasp the meaning of mechanical engineering, it is desirable to take a close look at what engineering really is. The Engineers' Council for Professional Development has defined engineering as the profession in which a knowledge of the mathematical and physical sciences gained by study, experience, and practice is applied with judgment to develop ways to utilize economically the materials and forces of nature for the progressive well-being of mankind. It is a profession in which study in mathematics and science is blended with experience and judgment for the production of useful things.
Formal training of a mechanical engineer includes mastery of mathematics through the level of differential equations. Training in physical science embraces chemistry, physics, mechanics of materials, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, statics, and dynamics. See Engineering, Machinery, Technology
McGraw-Hill Concise Encyclopedia of Engineering. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.