technologize
Low frequency (primarily academic, technical, and business discourse)Formal to semi-formal; primarily used in academic, business, and technical writing.
Definition
Meaning
To adapt, convert, or bring under the control of technology; to make technological.
To integrate advanced technological systems, devices, or automated processes into a domain that was previously less automated or non-technological. Often implies a transformative, systemic change towards digital or automated solutions.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
A denominal verb derived from 'technology'. It describes a process-oriented action, often implying a top-down or deliberate organizational strategy. Can carry a slightly bureaucratic or corporate tone. The related noun 'technologization' is also used.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major spelling or grammatical differences. Slightly more common in American business/tech discourse.
Connotations
In both varieties, can imply efficiency and progress, but also potentially dehumanization or over-reliance on machines.
Frequency
Rare in everyday conversation in both varieties. More likely encountered in US corporate and tech industry publications.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] + technologize + [Direct Object] (e.g., The company technologized its supply chain.)[Subject] + is/are + technologizing + [Direct Object] (e.g., Hospitals are technologizing patient records.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to strategic initiatives to integrate technology into operations, e.g., 'The bank's plan to technologize customer service.'
Academic
Used in sociology, business studies, and media studies to discuss societal or organizational shifts, e.g., 'to technologize the classroom.'
Everyday
Extremely rare. Might be used humorously or critically, e.g., 'They want to technologize everything, even the coffee machine!'
Technical
Used in systems engineering and IT project management to describe the implementation phase of tech solutions.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The council aims to technologise the public transport ticketing system across the county.
- There is a push to technologise the National Health Service's administrative processes.
American English
- The firm decided to technologize its manufacturing plants to stay competitive.
- We need to technologize our sales funnel for better data analytics.
adverb
British English
- []
American English
- []
adjective
British English
- []
American English
- []
Examples
By CEFR Level
- []
- Big companies often try to technologize their work.
- Farming is becoming more technologized.
- The government's initiative seeks to technologize the entire tax filing process, making it fully online.
- Many traditional industries are under pressure to technologize or risk becoming obsolete.
- Critics argue that the drive to technologize every aspect of education may overlook the importance of human interaction in pedagogy.
- The consultancy's report outlined a five-year plan to comprehensively technologize the client's global supply chain logistics.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'They took their OLOGY of TECHniques and made it a verb - to TECHNOlogize.'
Conceptual Metaphor
TECHNOLOGY IS A FORCE (that can be applied to domains); APPLYING TECHNOLOGY IS LIKE COATING/INFUSING SOMETHING.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque like '*технологизировать'. Use more natural verbs like 'автоматизировать', 'внедрять технологии', 'оцифровывать'.
- The English word is broader than just 'computerize'; it can involve any systematic technology.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing with 'technicalize' (to make technical in detail).
- Using it in simple contexts where 'use technology' or 'computerize' is more natural.
- Misspelling as 'technologise' (UK spelling variant is extremely rare for this verb).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the closest synonym for 'technologize' in a corporate strategy context?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency verb used primarily in formal, academic, or business contexts. More common synonyms like 'automate' or 'digitize' are often preferred.
The most direct noun is 'technologization'. However, phrases like 'the introduction of technology', 'automation', or 'digital transformation' are more frequently used.
Yes, it can. While neutral in technical use, it can imply a forced, impersonal, or excessive application of technology that removes human elements, especially in social or cultural critiques.
Yes. 'Digitize' specifically means to convert information into a digital format. 'Technologize' is broader; it can mean to apply any technology (which may include digitization, automation, mechanization) to a process or system.