technique

noun

tech·​nique tek-ˈnēk 

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

Synonyms

• approach
• fashion
• form
• how
• manner
• method
• methodology
• recipe
• strategy
• style
• system
• tack
• tactics
• way

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 on the Web

Expect a moment suspended in time around a bold menu employing techniques such as slow cooking, fermentation and decoction. —Lily Templeton, WWD, 27 Jan. 2025

Dining Saba Restaurant marries local Balearic ingredients with traditional Asian techniques, offering dishes like sushi, gyozas, bibimbap, and a silky egg custard with lobster and dashi. —Elizabeth Brownfield, Forbes, 26 Jan. 2025

First was their tapping, a surprising physical technique for coping with trauma and subduing the kinds of painful emotions that can lead to the type of dangerous decisions that land people in jail. —Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 25 Jan. 2025

According to Mind Tools, handling rude customers requires patience, emotional control and de-escalation techniques, but some situations escalate beyond what employees should be expected to endure. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, "technical nature, branch of knowledge, body of technical methods, way of doing something," feminine noun derivative of technique, adjective, "technical," borrowed from New Latin technicus "of the arts or sciences" — more at technical entry 1

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

technique

noun

tech·​nique tek-ˈnēk 

1

a

: the manner in which details are treated (as by a writer) or basic physical movements are used (as by a dancer)

b

: ability to treat such details or use such movements

perfect piano technique

2

a

: technical methods especially in scientific research

laboratory technique

b

: a method of accomplishing a desired aim

a technique for handling complaints

Medical Definition

technique

noun

tech·​nique tek-ˈnēk 

: a method or body of methods for accomplishing a desired end

new surgical techniques