technology

[ tek-nol-uh-jee ]

noun

, plural tech·nol·o·gies

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

/ 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

technology

/ 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.

Derived Forms

• technological, adjective
• techˈnologist, noun
• ˌtechnoˈlogically, adverb

Other Words From

• anti·tech·nolo·gy noun
• super·tech·nolo·gy noun plural supertechnologies

Word History and Origins

Origin of technology¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of technology¹

C17: from Greek tekhnologia systematic treatment, from tekhnē art, skill

Example Sentences

Before wading into the legal morass these lawsuits are attempting to navigate, let’s take a quick look at how the technology is developed and why copyright has become an issue.

From Los Angeles Times

She’s hoping the technology might help make it just a little more peaceful.

From Los Angeles Times

"By combining their complementary expertise, the two companies plan to reduce development costs and scale new technologies more quickly," the two companies said in a statement.

From BBC

Top performers will be given more capital and greater control over where to invest it - be that new equipment or technology or modernising their buildings.

From BBC

Architects don’t always have the latest information about how to incorporate energy-saving technologies into their designs, notes Mr Major.

From BBC

Related Words

• automation
• machinery