technical

adjective tech·ni·cal \ ˈtek-ni-kəl \

|Updated on: 10 Jun 2018

Examples: technical in a Sentence

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

—

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

Green was eventually called for a technical after jawing with Tristan Thompson.

— andrew joseph, For The Win, "Draymond Green's outbursts at officials have hilariously inspired Channing Frye," 6 June 2018
The fact that the U.S. declines to do so is the product of political choices not technical necessities.

— eric levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "Democrats Must Reject Howard Schultz and His Radical Centrist Ideology," 6 June 2018
This section will remain closed until assessments can be made by geo-technical engineers.

— joe marusak, charlotteobserver, "5-mile stretch of Blue Ridge Parkway closed after heavy rains cause cracks to emerge," 5 June 2018
Coach Ty Lue drew a technical in the third quarter of Game 2 for complaining about a no-call on a long outlet pass to LeBron James, who fell to the floor as he was being hounded by Steph Curry and Klay Thompson.

— michael singer, USA TODAY, "Tristan Thompson walks out on postgame interview after Steph Curry question," 4 June 2018
Bottom Line: An excellent, high-value starter bike or a great full-time ride if your local trails aren’t too technical.

— aaron gulley, Outside Online, "The Best Budget Bikes for Road and Trail," 4 June 2018
Cleveland coach Tyronn Lue was hit with a technical for arguing it.

— janie mccauley, chicagotribune.com, "Stephen Curry sets shooting record, Warriors beat Cavs 122-103 to take 2-0 lead in NBA Finals," 3 June 2018
He was given a technical, but not ejected, according to reporter David Pick.

— SI.com, "Watch: Former NBA Player Jordan Hamilton Spits on Opponent," 1 June 2018
Using the technical, security, and operating requirements identified during the trial, direct mail service using the new format resumed on April 16, according to Correos de Cuba.

— mimi whitefield, miamiherald, "U.S., Cuba decide to make direct mail service permanent," 1 June 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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1617

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

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

During Wednesday’s Game 3, there was probably a case to be made that Green deserved multiple technicals.

— andrew joseph, For The Win, "Draymond Green's outbursts at officials have hilariously inspired Channing Frye," 6 June 2018
There was a skirmish, a whistle and Green ended up with his third technical of the playoffs.

— ann killion, San Francisco Chronicle, "Warriors need Draymond Green’s ‘tremendous’ defense again in Game 4," 21 May 2018
The ejections came just after Warren Central’s David Bell and Pike’s Hunter White received double technicals because of an on-court skirmish.

— tom moor, Indianapolis Star, "IHSAA boys basketball: Warren Central fends off Pike to stay unbeaten," 20 Feb. 2018
Smith was given a flagrant foul one and he and Smart were both issued technicals.

— aj neuharth-keusch, USA TODAY, "Marcus Smart calls out JR Smith for Al Horford foul: 'He's known for' dirty plays," 16 May 2018
He was assisted by a member of the audience who is an emergency medical technical, Holmberg tweeted.

— mark price, charlotteobserver, "Actor Ken Jeong jumps off stage, uses UNC med school skills to aid fan having seizure | Charlotte Observer," 7 May 2018
Boston's Jaylen Brown and coach Brad Stevens were whistled for technicals late in the third and the Sixers capitalized with two free throws and an Embiid dunk that had rapper Meek Mill standing.

— dan gelston, courant.com, "76ers Hold Off Elimination With 103-92 Win Over Celtics," 7 May 2018
Green stood pat at 14 technicals after getting three in his previous two games. ...

— USA TODAY, "Steve Kerr gets 250th coaching victory as Warriors beat Spurs," 10 Feb. 2018
When the court finally cleared, the two teams had combined for 56 fouls, six technicals, and a near skirmish that required some creative rules interpretation to keep Wade from getting ejected and perhaps taking Anderson with him.

— david murphy, Philly.com, "Sixers beat the Heat - convincingly - at their own game to take lead in NBA playoff series | David Murphy," 19 Apr. 2018

First Known Use of technical

1917

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

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

—

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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