technical

adjective tech·ni·cal \ ˈtek-ni-kəl \

Updated on: 16 Apr 2018

Definition of technical

1 a : having special and usually practical knowledge especially of a mechanical or scientific subject

a technical consultant

b : marked by or characteristic of specialization

technical language

2 a : of or relating to a particular subject

b : of or relating to a practical subject organized on scientific principles

a technical school

c : technological 1

3 a : based on or marked by a strict or legal interpretation

b : legal 6

4 : of or relating to technique

5 : of, relating to, or produced by ordinary commercial processes without being subjected to special purification

technical sulfuric acid

6 : relating to or caused by the functioning of the market as a discrete mechanism not influenced by macroeconomic factors

a technical rally

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technically

play \ˈtek-ni-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

See technical defined for English-language learners

See technical defined for kids

Examples of technical in a Sentence

If you have any problems with your new computer, we offer 24-hour technical support.
I missed the first 10 minutes of the show because the network was experiencing technical difficulties .
Technical experts analyzed the data.
The film's director hired a real police officer as a technical consultant.
a pianist with good technical skills
The essay is too technical for me.
the more technical details of their research
“Cartography” is the technical name for the making of maps.
He is using the word in its technical sense.

Recent Examples of technical from the Web

Not to get too technical here, but the definition of a wall is a continuous structure with a common base, while a fence is something that has posts and can be seen through.

— glenn kessler, Washington Post, "President Trump says his ‘beautiful wall’ is being built. Nope.," 5 Apr. 2018
The other part of the story is technical: given current software practices, checking security and privacy compliance is a mess.

— jean yang, Time, "Want to Keep Personal Information Safe Online? Fix the Software," 3 Apr. 2018
He was given a single technical foul, had to be restrained by Middleton and was ejected — without receiving a second technical.

— matt velazquez, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Nuggets 128, Bucks 125 (OT): The final comeback belongs to Denver," 1 Apr. 2018
In his interviews, Smith eschews the technical in favor of the personal, allowing guests to reminisce about pivotal wines in their lives.

— mike dunne, sacbee, "Forget taste and smell. Sound is the new way to sell wine to millennials | The Sacramento Bee," 14 Mar. 2018
Embiid was called for a personal foul and Whiteside, a technical.

— christy cabrera chirinos, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Heat's Hassan Whiteside on 76ers Joel Embiid: 'Another dude ... He just talks more'," 9 Mar. 2018
Instead, the plan sounds technical, not transformative — and too long in coming.

— lois kazakoff, San Francisco Chronicle, "Lastword: $1 million answer to auto break-ins?," 23 Feb. 2018
The long-term support concerns are on top of current F-35 challenges including parts shortages, unavailable aircraft and technical issues that must be resolved as the program ends its 17-year development phase.

— Fortune, "The Air Force Could Lose 590 F-35 Fighters Because It Can't Afford to Maintain Them," 28 Mar. 2018
Despite having some minor technical issues on Saturday, Hughes went ahead and shot himself in the air, reaching around 350 mph before pulling his parachute.

— lukas mikelionis, Fox News, "Self-taught rocket-maker shots himself 1,875 feet to prove Earth is flat," 26 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'technical.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of technical

Greek technikos of art, skillful, from technē art, craft, skill; akin to Greek tektōn builder, carpenter, Latin texere to weave, Sanskrit takṣati he fashions

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First Known Use: 1617

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technical Synonyms

technical

noun

Definition of technical

basketball

: technical foul

Knight walked to the scorer's table to continue his protest and was given the second technical and an automatic ejection from the game.
—The New York Times

Recent Examples of technical from the Web

To be clear, Green and the Warriors have earned every benefit of the doubt, and Durant brushed off questions about his own issues with the referees (14 technicals, five ejections) this week.

— ben golliver, SI.com, "The All-Bullseye Team: Five All-Stars Facing Serious Playoff Pressure," 4 Apr. 2018
The technical fouls called were the first technicals in a championship game since the infamous 1993 game when Chris Webber called a timeout the Michigan team didn't have.

— mark heim, AL.com, "Final Four 2018: Watch double technicals in Michigan-Villanova game," 3 Apr. 2018
And that block led to West Virginia coach Bob Huggins being called for a pair of technicals and getting ejected.

— gary bedore, kansascity, "Udoka Azubuike comes through with monster game in KU’s 77-69 win over West Virginia," 17 Feb. 2018
Green was ejected with 8:13 remaining after a second technical for arguing with the officials, specifically female referee Lauren Holtkamp.

— USA TODAY, "Curry, Durant lead Warriors past Mavericks, end 2-game skid," 9 Feb. 2018
The referees reviewed video of the play and confirmed the foul on Paul, while also assessing double technicals to Griffin and D'Antoni.

— sean meagher, OregonLive.com, "Clippers-Rockets drama nearly turns into post-game locker room encounter," 16 Jan. 2018
In the final four minutes, Durham fouled out and was tagged with his second technical of the night as the Hughes' benched waved him off the court.

— shelby dermer, Cincinnati.com, "Rosado, Santiago lead Hughes past Woodward in regional semifinal," 16 Mar. 2018
But a great sporting event, dumb technicals and all.

— peter king, SI.com, "Deciphering Josh Rosen: What the QB Has to Say for Himself at the NFL Combine," 5 Mar. 2018
Things did get a little heated at times, as the officials handed out five technicals.

— dana gauruder, Detroit Free Press, "Blake Griffin struggles as Clippers end Pistons' win streak, 108-95," 9 Feb. 2018

First Known Use of technical

1917

TECHNICAL Defined for Kids

technical

adjective tech·ni·cal \ ˈtek-ni-kəl \

Definition of technical for Students

1 : having special knowledge especially of a mechanical or scientific subject

a technical expert

2 : relating to a practical or scientific subject

a technical book on electronics

3 : according to a strict explanation of the rules or facts

a technical knockout in boxing

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technically

adverb

Medical Dictionary

technical

adjective tech·ni·cal \ ˈtek-ni-kəl \

medical Definition of technical

1 a : marked by or characteristic of specialization

b : of or relating to a special field or subject

2 : of or relating to technique

a surgeon with great technical skill

3 : of, relating to, or produced by ordinary commercial processes without being subjected to special purification

technical sulfuric acid

—

technically

play \-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

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technical

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technically

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