technology

technology tech‧nol‧o‧gy [tekˈnɒlədʒi ǁ -ˈnɑː-] noun technologies _PLURALFORM

1. [countable, uncountable] knowledge dealing with scientific or industrial methods and the use of these methods in industry, farming etc:

• What impact is the new technology having on people at work?

• The system uses advanced digital and satellite technologies.

ˌhigh techˈnology [uncountable]

the use of the most modern technical knowledge and methods:

• Money, tax incentives and other measures have been used to influence progress in high technology.

• The company leases and sells data-processing, telecommunications and other high-technology equipment.

• Not all high-technology stocks fell.

inforˌmation techˈnology abbreviation IT [uncountable] COMPUTING

the study or use of electronic processes for storing information and making it available

interˌmediate techˈnology [countable, uncountable]

practical science which is suitable for use in poorer countries because it is simple and cheap, involving ways of doing things that make use of materials that are available locally, are not difficult to repair etc:

• The country relies heavily on modern intermediate technology methods.

2. [uncountable] MANUFACTURING machinery and equipment used or developed as a result of scientific and technical knowledge:

• We manufacture our products using the very latest technology.

ˈniche techˌnology [countable, uncountable] COMMERCE

technological products that are designed for a particular small area of a market:

• Some small companies specialise in niche technologies such as E-commerce and Internet routers.

— see also nanotechnology

— technologist noun [countable] :

• opportunities for communications technologists

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technology UK US /tekˈnɒlədʒi/ noun (plural technologies)

► [C or U] the use of scientific knowledge or processes in business, industry, manufacturing, etc.: »

The fast pace of technology presents enormous implications for sustainable business development.

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All our products are backed up by cutting-edge technology.

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computer/wireless/audio technology

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stem-cell/gene technology

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a technology company/firm/industry

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the technology sector/market/boom

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technology stocks/shares

new/advanced/existing technologies »

Basic economic relations are changing as new technologies and markets emerge.

developments/advances/changes in technology »

Changes in technology drive changes in business models.

create/develop/upgrade technologies »

Cleaner technologies are being developed to cut pollution from coal-burning power plants.

► [C] new machinery and equipment that has been developed using scientific knowledge or processes: »

Roll-out of the new technology has been dogged by technical problems and secrecy.

use/trial/test technologies »

Companies always trial their technologies before putting them on the market.

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Fuel-cell technologies are being used to generate power for telecom and industrial customers.

→ See also DISRUPTIVE TECHNOLOGY(Cf. ↑disruptive technology), HIGH TECHNOLOGY(Cf. ↑high technology), INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY(Cf. ↑information technology), INTERMEDIATE TECHNOLOGY(Cf. ↑intermediate technology), NICHE TECHNOLOGY(Cf. ↑niche technology)