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

Argus developed the technique with scientists from JPL's satellite orbit determination team, the University of Nevada, University of Montana, and the Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences in Germany.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 7, 2026

The unit used Lima to confuse the ballistic missiles that crashed into the Dnipro, filling the air with false signals—a technique known as spoofing.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2026

That has been a long-running technique that is much discussed in a lot of economic and administrative law literature.

From Slate ● Oct. 5, 2026

The honour could also go to a new imaging technique, called optical coherence tomography.

From Barron's ● Oct. 5, 2026

Another Nuer technique was to tie a ring of thorns around a calf’s mouth, so that it pricks the mother and causes her to resist suckling.

From "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" by Yuval Noah Harari

There are, of course, soups where acidity is built in earlier: Chinese hot-and-sour soups, borscht and various Eastern European sour soups all have their own traditions and techniques.

From Salon ● Oct. 5, 2026

They then used advanced multiplex immunofluorescence and spatial transcriptomic techniques to examine changes in cancer cells and other cells within the tumor environment.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 4, 2026

The restoration keeps the palm houses looking much as they were intended, but using modern techniques and materials which should guarantee the future of these much-loved buildings.

From BBC ● Oct. 1, 2026

According to Asymmetric, the agents were able to refine their techniques in a matter of days, a process that typically takes traditional hackers months or even years.

From Barron's ● Oct. 1, 2026

Kendra grew weary, and Grandma periodically demonstrated other techniques for her and Seth to employ.

From "Fablehaven" by Brandon Mull

Related Words

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