Meaning & use

Polytechnic

adjective·Everyday

Last updated

Relating to instruction in a wide range of technical or vocational subjects, especially applied sciences and engineering.

See it in a sentence

She earned her engineering degree from the local polytechnic institute.

The city built a new polytechnic college to train workers for the growing tech industry.

A note on using this word

From Greek 'poly' (many) and 'techne' (art, skill). In the UK, many former polytechnics became universities in the 1990s.

Words with a similar meaning

technicalvocational

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Another way to use it

2. noun

A college or institution that offers instruction in multiple technical or vocational subjects.

He studied mechanical engineering at the polytechnic downtown.

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