Final answer:
In engineering design, the specific conditions under which engineers work are most generally referred to as constraints. These are essential limitations or conditions that must be satisfied by the engineered solutions.
Step-by-step explanation:
When engineers design solutions to problems, they must work under specific conditions which are most generally referred to as constraints. These constraints are limitations or conditions that a design must satisfy. They can include a variety of factors such as cost limitations, safety considerations, environmental impacts, and physical limitations like the loads a structure can bear. In contrast, criteria are measurable standards or attributes used to compare different possible designs and determine the best solution. Engineers must work to satisfy both the criteria and constraints to develop an effective and practical design that meets the necessary requirements.