Origin: Greek suffix -ology
Technology has 4 different meanings across 1 category:
the application of the knowledge and usage of tools (such as machines or utensils) and techniques to control one's environment
"the mastery of fire was a huge advance in human technology"
the discipline dealing with the art or science of applying scientific knowledge to practical problems
"he had trouble deciding which branch of engineering to study"
machinery and equipment developed from engineering or other applied sciences
"The new factory relies heavily on advanced technology to automate its assembly line."
The organization of knowledge for practical purposes.
"The library's new cataloging system represents a shift from scattered notes to an organized technology that makes historical data instantly accessible for researchers."
In plain English: Technology is any tool, machine, or system created by humans to make life easier or solve problems.
"Modern technology has changed the way we communicate with friends and family."
Usage: Technology refers to the application of scientific knowledge and tools in everyday life, rather than just theoretical science itself. Use it when discussing specific devices or systems that solve practical problems, not as a synonym for general innovation.
The word technology comes from the Ancient Greek tekhnología, which originally meant a "systematic treatment of grammar." It entered English through a learned borrowing that combined the roots for "art" and "study."