Technology — words for computing, engineering and design

onlineadjective

connected to or available through the internet

systemnoun

set of connected parts working together as whole

postverb

to put information online for others to see

platformnoun

raised flat surface or system for a purpose

technologynoun

scientific knowledge used for practical purposes and inventions

machinenoun

device with moving parts that performs tasks using power.

phonenoun

device used for talking at distance

portalnoun

online gateway or entry point to information

interactiveadjective

Allowing two-way communication or exchange between user and system.

digitaladjective

Using electronic technology to store or process information.

metalnoun

hard shiny material like iron or gold

shuttlenoun

vehicle that travels back and forth over short route regularly

appnoun

software program for phone or computer

printernoun

machine that produces text or images on paper

trackverb

To follow the movement or progress of someone or something.

videonoun

A recording of moving images, often with sound.

powernoun

ability to control people or produce an effect

cyclenoun

series of events that repeat in the same order

filenoun

a collection of documents or data stored together

uploadverb

send data from a device to a larger computer system

engineeringnoun

the design and building of machines or structures

framenoun

a rigid structure that surrounds or supports something

screennoun

flat surface that displays images or text

messagenoun

short piece of information sent to someone

telegraphnoun

old device for sending coded electrical messages over distance

automaticallyadverb

Done by a machine or system without human control, or without conscious thought.

computernoun

An electronic device that processes data and performs tasks.

laptopnoun

small portable computer

newsnoun

recently reported information about current events.

devicenoun

tool or machine built for a specific purpose

internetnoun

global network connecting computers worldwide

concretenoun

hard building material made from cement, sand, and water

railroadnoun

track system for trains to travel on

wirenoun

Thin flexible strand of metal used to carry current or fasten things.

cameranoun

Device used to capture photographs or video.

privacynoun

State of being free from observation or intrusion by others.

scanverb

look at something quickly or capture it digitally

adoptverb

legally take another's child as one's own, or start using something

identicaladjective

Exactly the same in every way.

personalizedadjective

made or changed to suit one specific person's needs.

unlockverb

to open something using a key or code

radionoun

device that receives broadcast sound signals through the air

swipeverb

quick sliding motion, often on a touchscreen

electronicadjective

relating to devices powered by circuits and controlled signals

leapverb

large jump from one place to another

wheelnoun

A round object that turns to allow movement.

codenoun

A system of symbols or instructions used for communication or computing.

passwordnoun

secret string of characters used to confirm identity for access

spinverb

turn quickly around a central point

inventornoun

A person who creates a new device, process, or idea.

oversightnoun

Failure to notice or do something, often by mistake.

smartadjective

having quick and clever mind

storagenoun

act of keeping items in a particular place until needed

tapverb

hit gently and quickly

tubenoun

long hollow cylinder used to carry liquid or gas

vesselnoun

large boat or ship

virtualadjective

existing in computer form rather than physically

anchornoun

Heavy object dropped to keep a boat in place.

batterynoun

A device that stores and supplies electrical power.

bladenoun

The flat cutting part of a knife or tool.

gridnoun

A network of crossing lines or connected system, like power lines.

automateverb

make process run using machines instead of people.

brakenoun

device used to slow or stop a vehicle.

bridgenoun

structure built to cross river or road.

defaultnoun

preset option used when no other choice is made

restartverb

begin again after stopping

simulateverb

imitate conditions of real situation artificially

algorithmnoun

A process or set of rules to be followed in calculations or problem-solving

autonomousadjective

Having the freedom to act independently; self-governing

bandwidthnoun

The maximum rate of data transfer across a given path

componentnoun

a part that combines with others to form a whole system

enableverb

to give someone the ability or means to do something.

encryptionnoun

The process of converting information into code to prevent unauthorized access

innovativeadjective

Featuring new methods; advanced and original

interoperabilitynoun

The ability of different systems to work together

maximizeverb

Increase something to its highest possible level.

modifyverb

to change something partly, often to improve or adjust it.

obsoleteadjective

No longer produced or used; out of date

optimizeverb

To make the best or most effective use of a situation or resource

proliferationnoun

Rapid increase in numbers or spread

prototypenoun

A first or preliminary model of something from which other forms are developed

scalableadjective

Able to be changed in size or scale; capable of growing

ubiquitousadjective

Present, appearing, or found everywhere