Technician: Definition, Usage, and Examples

Meaning 1：skilled operator (technician)

technician 🔊

/tekˈnɪʃn/

A person who has special practical skills and knowledge to operate or repair machines or equipment in a particular field.

skilled operator 🔊

➕

/skɪld ˈɒpəreɪtə/

A person trained and skilled in the practical application of a specific technology or set of procedures.

📁 Category：Technological Inventions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Greek 'tekhnē' (art, craft, skill) + '-ician' (skilled practitioner).

💡 Mnemonic

Think TECH-NICIAN: The TECH person with the skill to make things work. (TECH + MAGICIAN, but with skills).

📖 Example

The technician carefully calibrated the microscope before the biology students began their experiment. 🔊 The skilled operator carefully calibrated the microscope before the biology students began their experiment.

🔗 Collocations

computer technician – a specialist in installing and repairing computer hardware and software

dental technician – a professional who constructs dental appliances like crowns and bridges

repair technician – a person skilled in fixing malfunctioning equipment

🔄 Synonyms

engineer (n.) – A person who designs, builds, or maintains engines, machines, or structures; often implies a higher level of theoretical knowledge.

specialist (n.) – A person who concentrates on and is an expert in a particular subject or skill area.

mechanic (n.) – A skilled worker who repairs and maintains machinery, especially vehicles.

🚫 Antonyms

amateur (n.) – A person who engages in a pursuit on an unpaid, non-professional basis.

layperson (n.) – A person without professional or specialized knowledge in a particular subject.

🌱 Derivatives

technical (adj.) – Relating to a particular subject, art, or craft, or its techniques.

technique (n.) – A way of carrying out a particular task, especially the execution or performance of an artistic work or a scientific procedure.

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from the Greek 'tekhnē', meaning art or craft, the term highlights the application of systematic knowledge in practical tasks. It became prominent during the Industrial Revolution, distinguishing skilled machine operators from laborers.