Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

technology

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

noun

  • technologies
    plural
  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-nŏlə-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

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Nouns

Etymology

Origin of technology

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

Explanation

Technology is using science to solve a problem or create a product. You probably have some gadgets and gizmos, like cell phones and video games, that you really enjoy. These are products of technology. Technology consists of all the things science allows people to make and do. New cars, new surgical techniques, new computers, and even robots are all examples of technology. Since science is always advancing, technology is too. The more scientists learn, the more technology allows us to do — it's very exciting.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing technology

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.

See Examples For:

Local electeds suggested to Scott that the administration consider technology — like infrared surveillance — instead of building physical and permanent structures.

From Salon Aug. 24, 2026

The recurring question for the US chipmaker is whether the AI boom will continue to accelerate as the technology takes over more corners of the broader economy.

From Barron's Aug. 24, 2026

Over the past year, he has suggested that AI-driven advances could give the economy more room to grow and that technology tends to lower costs over time.

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 24, 2026

Turns out I hadn’t flunked technology after all.

From Salon Aug. 24, 2026

In the United States the FBI, which often has to extract DNA in criminal cases, considers the test, when done with the latest technology, infallible.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

Knowledge flows easily between them thanks to a culture of publishing research and the Chinese developers’ preference for open-source technologies that are largely free for download and modification.

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 21, 2026

The findings offer researchers a new theoretical framework for future experiments and could improve scientists' understanding of quantum materials relevant to emerging technologies, including ultra-precise sensors and quantum computing.

From Science Daily Aug. 21, 2026

The world's second-largest economy also has an economic interest as the leading exporter of green technologies, including solar panels, electric vehicles, wind turbines and batteries.

From Barron's Aug. 21, 2026

"Our technology is cleaner, quieter and more efficient than other air-moving technologies that exist today," according to Andrew Terajewicz, Whisper Aero's director of air management.

From BBC Aug. 20, 2026

The contestants included RCA, the Columbia Broadcasting System, and General Electric, all seeking approval from the Federal Communications Commission for mutually incompatible technologies.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Join 12,000,000 vocabulary learners

Start learning new words today on VocabTrainer.
You'll remember them forever.

Start training