technology

noun

tech·​nol·​o·​gy tek-ˈnä-lə-jē How to pronounce technology (audio)
plural technologies
1
a
: the practical application of knowledge especially in a particular area : engineering sense 2
medical technology
b
: a capability given by the practical application of knowledge
a car's fuel-saving technology
2
: a manner of accomplishing a task especially using technical processes, methods, or knowledge
new technologies for information storage
3
: the specialized aspects of a particular field of endeavor
educational technology
technologist noun

Examples of technology in a Sentence

One by one, the pieces take flight: a parachute, the stowed Martian balloon—a Montgolfiere hot-air type, named for the French brothers who pioneered the technology in 1782—and a sensor package with guidance system, radio transmitter, and video camera. Joe Pappalardo, Air & Space, June/July 2006
There's no question the industry has been subjected to a great deal of competitive pressure over the past decade or so, with promises of more to come as the Internet and wireless technology transform the way Americans receive news and information. Wall Street Journal, 14 Mar. 2006
The rapid shift in technology over the last 10 years has created an entirely new world in which viruses can replicate. While in 1989, viruses were primarily spread by "sneakernet," as users walked diskettes from machine to machine, modern viruses … are capable of spreading around the world in the blink of a digital eye. Sarah Gordon, Information Security, November 1999
… all technology and energy revving up for the greatest clash of arms in history. William Styron, This Quiet Dust And Other Writings, (1953) 1982
Recent advances in medical technology have saved countless lives. The company is on the cutting edge of technology. The government is developing innovative technologies to improve the safety of its soldiers. How can we apply this new technology to our everyday lives? The car has the latest in fuel-saving technology.
Recent Examples on the Web The same goes for their noise-cancelling technology and fit. Robert Ross, Robb Report, 20 Mar. 2024 In California, electric vehicle sales dropped significantly for the first time in more than a decade during the last half of 2023, a phenomenon experts attributed in part to unreliable charging technology and higher prices for zero-emission vehicles. Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2024 Within the last decade, advancements in gear technology, a rising cost of lift tickets, and a desire to escape crowds have resulted in a boom in backcountry skiing. Josh Laskin, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Mar. 2024 Based on the million cars sold in 2017, researchers from the UK’s Faraday Institution, a research outfit focused on battery technology, estimated that some 250,000 tonnes of unprocessed battery packs will reach the end of their lives in 15 to 20 years. Sabrina Weiss, WIRED, 20 Mar. 2024 According to the Biden Administration, leading-edge chips are essential to advanced technologies including artificial intelligence, and the latest proposal would help to ensure that more of these semiconductors are developed and made in the U.S., while also creating well-paying jobs. The Arizona Republic, 20 Mar. 2024 Fake obituaries are cheap and easy to create, expert says Creating fake obituaries is as easy as asking AI to generate some facts about a person, said Robert Wahl, an associate professor of computer science at Concordia University Wisconsin and an expert on AI technology. Faith Karimi, CNN, 19 Mar. 2024 New, surprising technologies can bewilder us in ways that exacerbate these animist tendencies. Patrick House, The New Yorker, 19 Mar. 2024 To help learners better understand the technologies, the four-course Minigrids in Africa program explores the context and roles that the grids play in Africa. IEEE Spectrum, 19 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'technology.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

earlier, "treatise on an art, terminology, branch of knowledge dealing with the applied arts," borrowed from New Latin technologia "systematic treatment (of grammar or rhetoric), systematic description of the arts and sciences," borrowed from Greek technología "systematic treatment (of grammar or rhetoric)," from téchnē "art, craft, proficiency in an art or craft, systematic method of performing or engaging in an art" + -o- -o- + -logia -logy — more at technical entry 1

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of technology was in 1829

Dictionary Entries Near technology

Cite this Entry

“Technology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/technology. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

technology

noun
tech·​nol·​o·​gy tek-ˈnäl-ə-jē How to pronounce technology (audio)
plural technologies
1
: the use of science in solving problems (as in industry or engineering)
2
: a technical method of doing something
technological
ˌtek-nə-ˈläj-i-kəl
adjective

Medical Definition

technology

noun
tech·​nol·​o·​gy -jē How to pronounce technology (audio)
plural technologies
1
: the science of the application of knowledge to practical purposes : applied science
2
: a scientific method of achieving a practical purpose
technological adjective
also technologic
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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