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polytechnic

American  
[pol-ee-tek-nik] / ˌpɒl iˈtɛk nɪk /

adjective

  1. of, relating to, or offering instruction in a variety of industrial arts, applied sciences, or technical subjects.

    a polytechnic institute.


noun

  1. a school or other institution in which instruction in technical subjects is given.

polytechnic British  
/ ˌpɒlɪˈtɛknɪk /

noun

  1. a college offering advanced full- and part-time courses, esp vocational courses, in many fields at and below degree standard

"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

adjective

  1. of or relating to technical instruction and training

"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

Etymology

Origin of polytechnic

1795–1805; poly- + technic, modeled on French polytechnique

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.

She said the former Manchester polytechnic teacher was a "nocturnal, night owl" that stayed up into the early hours watching documentaries or looking at his photos.

From BBC • Jul. 31, 2023

Rebranded as the Cornley Youth Theater, and for reasons of liability or just sheer embarrassment no longer associated with a polytechnic institute, it has returned to Broadway with its children’s version of J.M.

From New York Times • Apr. 19, 2023

Nicaraguan Vice President Rosario Murillo announced that the space would be used to create a cultural and polytechnic center named after one of the country's most important poets, Jose Coronel Urtecho.

From Reuters • Aug. 23, 2022

The change was initiated by former Chancellor Timothy White in 2020, who asked the university to explore the possibility of evolving into a polytechnic.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 28, 2022

In 1822 he became professor at the polytechnic school, holding his post until 1854, and some years later he was chosen conservator of the monuments of art.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 2 "Hearing" to "Helmond" by Various