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

---

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

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.

Example Sentences

They include a picture of a gold and diamond watch which was clearly generated by AI, while the technology was also used to exaggerate damage to the back of a car.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

“The software group has been under severe valuation pressure recently due to fears that generative AI technology makes their collective business models easy to replicate and undermine,” said Richard Baldry, senior research analyst at Roth.

From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026

At a $2 trillion valuation, Google’s stake in SpaceX would be worth about $122 billion, or more than the vast majority of public companies — even hot technology plays.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026

"It just put a lot of devices and technology into classrooms without clear pedagogical intent, without clear goalposts," he argues.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

The new, expanded headquarters in Boston, donated by Harvard Medical School, now housed specialists in grant writing, technology, and administration in addition to regular staff.

From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French

Related Words

• automation
• machinery