high technology: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, business, academic, journalistic
Quick answer
What does “high technology” mean?
Highly advanced, sophisticated, and cutting-edge technological development, often involving electronics, computing, or other complex scientific fields.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Highly advanced, sophisticated, and cutting-edge technological development, often involving electronics, computing, or other complex scientific fields.
The sector of industry and commercial activity focused on designing, developing, and manufacturing such advanced technological products and services. Often used as an adjective to describe companies, products, or jobs in this field.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in definition or application. The hyphenated form 'high-technology' is slightly more common in formal UK writing, while 'high technology' (without hyphen) is standard in US English, especially as a noun. The clipped form 'high-tech' is universally common.
Connotations
Identical. Connotes innovation, progress, modernity, and economic value in both varieties.
Frequency
Used with equal frequency in both business and media contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “high technology” in a Sentence
Noun + of + high technology (e.g., 'the field of high technology')Adjective + high technology + noun (e.g., 'advanced high technology manufacturing')Verb + high technology (e.g., 'to develop high technology')Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “high technology” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The region aims to high-tech its traditional manufacturing base.
- They plan to high-technology the entire production line.
American English
- The company is working to high-tech its agricultural processes.
- We need to high-technology our approach to logistics.
adverb
British English
- [Rarely used as a pure adverb. Typically 'in a high-technology way' or similar.]
- [No common standalone adverbial use.]
American English
- [Rarely used as a pure adverb. Typically 'using high technology' or similar.]
- [No common standalone adverbial use.]
adjective
British English
- She secured a job in a high-technology consultancy.
- The university is a leader in high-technology research.
American English
- He works for a high technology firm in Austin.
- The state offers tax breaks for high technology industries.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to a market sector, investment area, or type of company (e.g., 'The venture fund focuses on high technology startups.').
Academic
Used in economics, engineering, and sociology to discuss technological innovation and its societal impacts (e.g., 'The paper analyses job creation in the high technology sector.').
Everyday
Less common; often replaced by 'high-tech' (e.g., 'I work in high-tech.' or 'That's a very high-tech gadget.').
Technical
Precise term to distinguish from medium or low-tech solutions in fields like engineering or international development.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “high technology”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “high technology”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “high technology”
- Incorrect hyphenation: 'hightechnology' (no space) is wrong. 'High-tech' is correct for the adjective.
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'a high technology'). It is generally uncountable or used attributively (e.g., 'a high technology firm').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in meaning. 'High-tech' is the common clipped form, used especially as an adjective. 'High technology' is the full form, more common in formal and noun contexts.
Typically uncountable. You refer to 'high technology' as a field, not 'high technologies'. However, 'technologies' can be used if referring to multiple distinct advanced types (e.g., 'green energy technologies').
The direct antonym is 'low technology' (low-tech), referring to simple, traditional, or non-mechanical technology.
Yes, Information Technology is a core component of the high technology sector, but the term also encompasses biotechnology, aerospace, robotics, and other advanced engineering fields.
Highly advanced, sophisticated, and cutting-edge technological development, often involving electronics, computing, or other complex scientific fields.
High technology is usually formal, business, academic, journalistic in register.
High technology: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhaɪ tekˈnɒlədʒi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhaɪ tɛkˈnɑːlədʒi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms specific to the phrase. Often appears in phrases like 'the high-tech revolution' or 'a high-tech hub'.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'HIGH' as in 'highly advanced' + 'TECHNOLOGY'.
Conceptual Metaphor
TECHNOLOGY IS A LADDER/SCALE (high vs. low tech); INNOVATION IS A FRONTIER (cutting-edge).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST likely synonym for 'high technology' in a formal report?