polytechnic

1 of 2

adjective

poly·​tech·​nic ˌpä-lē-ˈtek-nik 

: relating to or devoted to instruction in many technical arts or applied sciences

polytechnic

2 of 2

noun

: a polytechnic school

Examples of polytechnic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Cal Poly Humboldt officially became a polytechnic university after a transition process that took approximately two years of planning with faculty. — Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2026

Under the bill, the school would transition to a polytechnic school, focusing on hands-on industry preparation and STEM classes, with many of its liberal arts programs moving to online only. — Kathryn Muchnick, Louisville Courier Journal, 26 Mar. 2026

Noun

Today, Lycée Saint-Exupéry has been enlarged into a polytechnic, the original school supersized with new buildings, while the surrounding neighborhood now looks a shambles. — Michael Dirda, Washington Post, 7 Aug. 2019

The intake of British students at institutions in the post-1992 group of universities, former polytechnics which offered vocational qualifications, is flat. — The Economist, 22 Aug. 2019

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

French polytechnique, from Greek polytechnos skilled in many arts, from poly- + technē art — more at technical

First Known Use

Adjective

1798, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1836, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for polytechnic

• pyrotechnic
• technic

Kids Definition

polytechnic

adjective

poly·​tech·​nic

ˌpäl-i-ˈtek-nik

: relating to or devoted to instruction in many technical arts or applied sciences

a polytechnic school