technique

noun tech·nique \ tek-ˈnēk \

|Updated on: 13 Jul 2018

Definition of technique

1 : the manner in which technical details are treated (as by a writer) or basic physical movements are used (as by a dancer); also : ability to treat such details or use such movements

good piano technique

2 a : a body of technical methods (as in a craft or in scientific research)

b : a method of accomplishing a desired aim

See technique defined for English-language learners

See technique defined for kids

Examples of technique in a Sentence

We learned some techniques for relieving stress.
I used a special technique to make the bread.
The players need to practice in order to improve their technique.
a dancer with excellent technique
The ice-skaters will be judged on technique and creativity.

Recent Examples of technique from the Web

Currently, Houston Methodist researcher Dr. Joseph Masdeu is conducting a study to help doctors refine the diagnostic techniques for anti-NDMA receptor encephalitis.

— Houston Chronicle, "New Netflix movie explores disease studied by Houston doctor," 2 July 2018
Each of the award-winning film's 65,000 frames is an oil painting on canvas using the same technique as van Gogh.

— Courant Community, "Community News For The East Hartford Edition," 2 July 2018
That requires high quality teachers and school leaders, cutting-edge and responsive classroom tools and techniques, and innovative community/business partnerships.

— kansascity, "Jean Paul Bradshaw," 30 June 2018
The highlights were Raf Simons’s takes on men’s couture mixed with ravewear, Rei Kawakubo’s offbeat suiting at Comme des Garçons, and Sarah Burton’s spectacular embroidery technique for Alexander McQueen.

— michael philouze, Vogue, "A Vogue Editor’s Diary of Paris’s Spring 2019 Men’s Shows," 26 June 2018
The four-limbed thru-hiker had already honed this injury-cheating technique on both his successful thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail in 2011 and during a previous, aborted attempt at the Patagonia-to-Alaska record in 2015.

— matt maynard, Outside Online, "Setting a Speed Record from Patagonia to Alaska," 25 June 2018
So brutal that forcing someone to sit through all of it could qualify as an enhanced interrogation technique.

— gilbert garcia, San Antonio Express-News, "Castle Hills descends into municipal rancor and confusion," 15 June 2018
This technique was perfected by Mr Putin in Russia, and is now widely copied.

— The Economist, "After decades of triumph, democracy is losing ground," 14 June 2018
Here kids can practice the Inka technique for braiding a strong cable out of a weak material, using plastic bags in lieu of mountain grasses.

— susannah gardiner, Smithsonian, "How Native Civilizations Innovated to Conquer the Wilderness," 2 June 2018

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