technical

1 of 3

adjective

tech·​ni·​cal ˈtek-ni-kəl 

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 sense 1

3

a

: based on or marked by a strict or legal interpretation

b

: legal sense 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

technical

2 of 3

noun (1)

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

technical foul

3 of 3

noun (2)

basketball

: a foul that is assessed to a player, coach, or team typically for unsportsmanlike conduct (such as arguing with an official or taunting an opponent) and does not usually involve physical contact with an opponent while the ball is in play

called also technical

compare personal foul

Synonyms of technical

Adjective

• specialized
• limited
• special

Examples of technical in a Sentence

Adjective

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 on the Web

Adjective

The Arctic Report Card has traditionally been published as a NOAA technical report, but that will not happen this year. — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026

The film is now in pre-production ahead of an October start, with the supporting cast, technical crew and release date to be revealed imminently. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Aug. 2026

Noun

Before Josh talks technicals, the stock's path here is worth noting. — Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 6 Aug. 2026

For Americans abroad, however, the larger obstacle is practical rather than tax technical. — Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Noun

Consider the latest eruptions that happened within hours of each other a few days ago, when the league quickly rescinded a technical foul assessed to Clark that would have put her at the threshold for a suspension. — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026

Cunningham has three technical fouls this season, while Carrington has just one. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

New Latin technicus "of the arts or sciences" (borrowed from Greek technikós "skillful, proficient in an art or craft, artificial," from téchnē "art, craft, proficiency in an art or craft, systematic method of performing or engaging in an art, manner, way, (in plural) wiles, cunning" + -ikos -ic entry 1) + -al entry 1; téchnē going back to Indo-European *tetḱ- or *teḱ-s- "fashion, produce" + *-(s)neh₂, noun suffix — more at tectonic

Note: Regarding the nature of the root *tetḱ-/*teḱ-s-, see note at tectonic.

Noun (1)

by shortening

First Known Use

Adjective

1617, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (1)

1917, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1896, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing technical

• get technical
• technical difficulties
• technical foul
• technical knockout
• technical point
• technical sergeant
• technical/tech support
• tech/technical support

Rhymes for technical

• electrotechnical
• geotechnical
• nontechnical

Kids Definition

technical

adjective

tech·​ni·​cal ˈtek-ni-kəl 

1

a

: having special knowledge especially of a mechanical or scientific subject

technical experts

b

: used in special fields of knowledge

technical language

2

: of or relating to a particular subject

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

technical training

3

: existing by laws or rules

a technical knockout

4

: of or relating to technique

technical skill

technically

-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Medical Definition

technical

adjective

tech·​ni·​cal ˈtek-ni-kəl 

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

-k(ə-)lē 

adverb