technology
technology
Pronunciation
technology
/tɛkˈnɒlədʒi/
tech: /tɛk/ - /t/, /ɛ/, /k/
nol: /nɒl/ - /n/, /ɒ/, /l/
o: /ə/ - /ə/
gy: /dʒi/ - /dʒ/, /i/
Word Form Variations
Noun (singular): technology
Noun (plural): technologies
Adjective: technological
Adverb: technologically
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition: The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry, to create tools, systems, and methods that enhance efficiency, solve problems, or improve quality of life.
Synonyms: innovation, mechanization, automation, engineering, applied science
Antonyms: primitivism, nature (in the sense of absence of human intervention)
Definition: The collective body of tools, machinery, processes, and knowledge used to produce goods or services, or to achieve objectives.
Synonyms: equipment, machinery, apparatus, systems, infrastructure
Antonyms: manual methods, handcrafts (in a broad sense of pre-industrial techniques)
Adjective
Definition (technological): Relating to or characterized by technology; involving or resulting from the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes.
Synonyms: innovative, advanced, high-tech, modern, scientific
Antonyms: low-tech, primitive, antiquated, unsophisticated, manual
Examples of Use
Books:
"The rapid advancement of technology has profoundly reshaped the landscape of modern warfare, from drone operations to cyber espionage." (Excerpt from War and the Future: How Technology is Changing Conflict by John Smith, published October 2023)
"Throughout history, societal progress has often been intrinsically linked to breakthroughs in agricultural technology, allowing for greater food production and population growth."
Newspapers:
"New technology promises to revolutionize public transportation, with electric buses and self-driving vehicles on the horizon for urban centers." (The Daily Chronicle)
"Concerns about the ethical implications of artificial intelligence technology were a central topic at yesterday's parliamentary debate." (The Global Post)
Online Publications:
"Exploring the impact of wearable technology on health monitoring and fitness tracking has become a significant area of research." (TechCrunch)
"Many developing nations are leveraging mobile phone technology to provide financial services to remote communities." (Forbes.com)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "The latest blockbuster showcases incredible visual effects achieved through cutting-edge CGI technology." (Review of "Cosmic Odyssey" on Rotten Tomatoes, June 2024)
Television Series: "This documentary series delves into the history of space exploration and the remarkable technology that made it possible." (PBS "Nova" episode description, February 2025)
Video Games: "Players can upgrade their character's weapons and armor using advanced alien technology discovered throughout the game world." (Game review for "Starbound Frontiers" on IGN, September 2024)
Music Production: "Modern music producers rely heavily on digital audio workstation (DAW) technology to compose, record, and mix tracks." (Interview with musician on YouTube, December 2024)
General Public Discourse:
"My phone's battery life is terrible; I wish they'd improve the technology for that." (Casual conversation overheard in a café)
"Learning about sustainable technology is crucial for addressing climate change." (Statement by an environmental activist at a public forum)
10 Quotes Using Technology
"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." (Arthur C. Clarke)
"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity." (Albert Einstein)
"The human spirit must prevail over technology." (Albert Einstein)
"Technology is a useful servant but a dangerous master." (Christian Lous Lange)
"The science of today is the technology of tomorrow." (Edward Teller)
"We are stuck with technology when what we really want is just stuff that works." (Douglas Adams)
"What new technology does is create new opportunities to do a job that customers want done." (Tim O'Reilly)
"The art challenges the technology, and the technology inspires the art." (John Lasseter)
"We're changing the world with technology." (Bill Gates)
"If we continue to develop our technology without wisdom or prudence, our servant may prove to be our executioner." (Omar N. Bradley)
Etymology
The word "technology" comes from ancient Greek!
It's a combination of two Greek words:
technē (τϵχνη): This meant "art," "skill," "craft," or "method." Think of it as the know-how or the way you do something, whether it's building a house or painting a picture.
logia (λoγια): This refers to "the study of something" or "a branch of knowledge." It's related to the word "logos," meaning "word" or "reason."
So, when you put them together, "technology" literally meant "the study of art or craft" or "a systematic treatment of an art."
The first known use of "technology" in English, with a meaning close to what we understand today, appeared in the 17th century. Initially, it referred to a discussion or treatise about the arts, or a collection of terms related to a particular art or craft. For example, a book explaining all the techniques and terms used in carpentry might have been called a "technology of carpentry."
Over time, especially during the Industrial Revolution, the meaning shifted and broadened. It started to refer more to the practical application of scientific knowledge to create tools, machines, and processes that solve problems or improve things, which is how we primarily use it today.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Technology
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "technology" or its close synonyms for similar effect:
Cutting-edge technology: Refers to the most advanced or innovative technology available.
High-tech: Short for high technology, implying advanced and sophisticated.
Low-tech: Refers to technology that is simple, basic, or unsophisticated.
Old technology/Outdated technology: Refers to technology that is no longer current or efficient.
Embrace technology: To readily adopt and use new technological advancements.
Leapfrog technology: To bypass older stages of development and directly adopt the latest technology.
The bleeding edge of technology: Similar to cutting-edge, but implies an even newer, potentially unproven, stage.
Technology stack: Refers to the set of technologies used to build and run an application or system.
Technology transfer: The process of moving technology from one organization or country to another.
Tech-savvy: Knowledgeable about and skilled in the use of modern technology.
Digital native: A person born or brought up during the age of digital technology, and therefore familiar with computers and the internet from an early age. (Uses a synonym for similar effect)
March of progress: Often used to describe the unstoppable advancement of new ideas, including technology. (Idiom with a related concept)
A technological marvel: Something that is an impressive example of technological achievement.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of technology from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
