Technology is the study or use of techniques, methods, and devices to solve problems and achieve practical ends. In everyday language, it refers to tools and equipment created through scientific knowledge, and the sector that develops and applies such innovations. The word commonly appears in discussions of gadgets, software, and the broader engineering milieu.
"The rapid advancement of technology has transformed how we communicate."
"She studies information technology and hopes to work in cybersecurity."
"New technology often changes workplace productivity and workflows."
"Critics debate how technology shapes society and privacy."
Technology derives from the Greek words techne, meaning art, skill, or craft, and logos, meaning study or discourse. The term entered Latin as technologia, then French as technologie, before English adoption in the 17th–18th centuries, initially referring to systematic treatment of an art or craft. By the 20th century, technology had broadened to include the application of scientific knowledge to practical aims and industrial processes, along with the study of techniques themselves. The evolution reflects a shift from crafts-based knowledge to an organized, systematic discipline encompassing tools, systems, and machines that solve problems or enhance human capabilities. First known usage in English appeared in the 1610s in Latin or early English texts borrowed from French; by the late 1800s, technology clearly signified the empirical discipline of applying science to practical ends and the devices created by this discipline.
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Words that rhyme with "Technology"
-ogy sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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Pronounce as /tɛˈknɒl.ə.dʒi/ (US) or /tɛˈknɒl.ə.dʒi/ (UK/AU). Emphasize the second syllable: tech-NOL-uh-jee. Start with a clear /t/ release, then a stressed /nɒ/ reduced to a schwa in rapid speech. End with a voiced /dʒi/ as in judge. Mouth positions: tip of tongue behind upper teeth for /t/, back of tongue rises for /kn/ blend, lips relaxed for /ə/, tip of tongue just behind the hard palate for /dʒi/.”
Common errors include stressing the wrong syllable (teh-”; instead of teK-NOL-uh-jee) and mispronouncing the /kn/ cluster as separate sounds. Another frequent mistake is softening /dʒ/ too much, producing /dʒi/ with insufficient palatal contact. Correct these by practicing the stable /k/+ /n/ blend, ensuring the primary stress sits on the second syllable, and enunciating the final /dʒi/ with a clear tongue tip contact to the alveolar ridge.”
In US English, /tɛˈknɑlədʒi/ with rhotic r coloring not present here, and the vowel in the second syllable is open /ɑ/. UK/AU speakers often favor /tɛkˈnɒlə dʒi/ with a shorter /ɒ/ and a less pronounced /dʒ/ depending on region. AU may have a slightly broader vowel in the second syllable; however, the stress remains on the second syllable. Across all, the /kn/ cluster is pronounced together, not as separate k + n.”
Two main challenges are the /kn/ cluster and the secondary stress pattern. The /kn/ sequence demands a quick transition from the alveolar nasal to the velar stop, which is tricky for non-native speakers. Additionally, the multisyllabic word places the main stress on the second syllable, which can be deceptive if you are thinking about the prefix te-. Focus on closing the syllable with a crisp /l/ and an accurate /dʒi/ at the end.”
Technology is pronounced with an audible vowel in each syllable; there are no silent letters here. A common hesitation is the /ə/ in the third syllable; think of a quick, relaxed schwa that keeps the rhythm of the word smooth. The final /i/ is voiced, not silent; it’s a standard ending in many English loanwords. Keep the schwa light but present, and give /dʒi/ a clear palate contact.”
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