Technology Definition & Meaning

American

British

Scientific

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Examples

Related Words

Synonyms technology American [tek-nol-uh-jee] / tɛkˈnɒl ə dʒi /

noun

plural

technologies

1. the branch of knowledge that deals with the creation and use of technical means and their interrelation with life, society, and the environment, drawing upon such subjects as industrial arts, engineering, applied science, and pure science.

2. the application of this knowledge for practical ends.

3. the terminology of an art, science, etc.; technical nomenclature.

4. a scientific or industrial process, invention, method, or the like.

5. the sum of the ways in which social groups provide themselves with the material objects of their civilization.

technology British / tɛkˈnɒlədʒɪ, ˌtɛknəˈlɒdʒɪkəl /

noun

1. the application of practical sciences to industry or commerce

2. the methods, theory, and practices governing such application

   a highly developed technology

3. the total knowledge and skills available to any human society for industry, art, science, etc

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 technology Scientific / tĕk-nŏl′ə-jē /

1. The use of scientific knowledge to solve practical problems, especially in industry and commerce.

2. The specific methods, materials, and devices used to solve practical problems.

Other Word Forms

• antitechnology noun
• supertechnology noun
• technological adjective
• technologically adverb
• technologist noun

Etymology

Origin of technology

First recorded in 1605–15, technology is from the Greek word technología systematic treatment. See techno-, -logy

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It’s seemingly turning into the moment when AI, the futuristic technology that’s increasingly finding its way into our everyday lives, reaches a tipping point in our culture.

From MarketWatch

It’s seemingly turning into the moment when AI, the futuristic technology that’s increasingly finding its way into our everyday lives, reaches a tipping point in our culture.

From MarketWatch

Many investors are hoping to sidestep the Grim Reaper of AI, reduce their exposure to the biggest technology stocks and still earn decent returns by beefing up their positions in these boring companies.

From The Wall Street Journal

Anthropic’s announcement this week sent shares of legal publishing and legal technology companies plummeting.

From Los Angeles Times

They are building demands around the issue and others, using picket lines and hunger strikes to help persuade Kaiser to use the powerful technology responsibly.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• automation
• machinery

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.