technique

American  

[tek-neek] / tɛkˈnik /

noun

• techniques
  plural

1. the manner and ability with which an artist, writer, dancer, athlete, or the like employs the technical skills of a particular art or field of endeavor.

2. the body of specialized procedures and methods used in any specific field, especially in an area of applied science.

3. method of performance; way of accomplishing.

4. technical skill; ability to apply procedures or methods so as to effect a desired result.

5. Informal. method of projecting personal charm, appeal, etc..

   He has the greatest technique with customers.

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technique British  

/ tɛkˈniːk /

noun

1. a practical method, skill, or art applied to a particular task

2. proficiency in a practical or mechanical skill

3. special facility; knack

   he had the technique of turning everything to his advantage

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• techniques
  plural

Etymology

Origin of technique

First recorded in 1810–20; from French: “technical” (adjective), “technic” (noun), from Greek technikós, techniká; see technic

Explanation

A technique is a method of doing some task or performing something. Your technique for opening drinks might be to twist the top off with your teeth. If so, your dentist better have a good tooth-repair technique. The noun technique can also refer to someone's skillfulness with the fundamentals of a particular task. A violinist could have excellent technique, but lack passion, for example. Writers usually have very individual writing techniques: One might need to write late at night and another early in the morning; some have to write by hand on paper, while others always use the computer.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

technique techniques

This technique is considered more prone to vehicle damage.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

The researchers used publicly available orbital information from Starlink satellites and applied tomography, a technique commonly associated with medical imaging, to Earth's upper atmosphere.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 12, 2026

He's got everything you need in a modern full-back - pace, power and excellent technique.

From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026

He added that the technique "does not create new clouds".

From Barron's ● Aug. 12, 2026

Writing 3: Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.

From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin

Analysts use statistical techniques like linear regression to help tease this out.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 17, 2026

These techniques could more widely increase knowledge of species' distributions, helping effective conservation to be targeted in the right place, it said.

From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026

Kim said weekly water quality testing will be required and that the vendor would have to have someone trained in lifesaving techniques on site during operating hours.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026

The thesis is enlarged by a small group of sculptures, and works on paper and other supports, in many different mediums and techniques.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 12, 2026

The children demonstrated their skating techniques, and Judge Quinzy chuckled warmly.

From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

• approach
• art
• capability
• capacity
• craft
• facility
• know-how
• manner
• means
• mode
• performance
• procedure
• routine
• skill
• style
• system