polytechnic

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polytechnic

Where it comes from

First attested in 1805. From French polytechnique, from the École polytechnique, engineering school founded 1794 in Paris; from Greek πολύτεχνος "skilled in many arts," from πολύς "many" (see poly-) + τέχνη "art" (see technic).

adjective

not comparable That teaches applied arts, sciences, technology, engineering and other academic subjects.

noun polytechnics

UK, dated An educational institute that teaches applied arts and sciences rather than academic subjects.
Similar: professional university, vocational university, university of applied sciences
obsolete An exhibition of objects illustrating many arts.
Singapore A three-year post-secondary vocational training institute, equivalent of community college in the U.S. or TAFE in Australia.

Thesaurus

Closest in meaning: engineering school, polytechnic institute, technology, tech, technical, technological, acting, engineering, industry, polytechnical, vocational school, technical college, technical institute, technikon, trade school, technological university

Translations

Every language

adj Translations

Español	politécnico
Français	polytechnique

noun educational institute

Español	politécnica
Français	polytechnique

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Cite this

MLA

"polytechnic." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/polytechnic. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

APA

polytechnic. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/polytechnic

Chicago

"polytechnic." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/polytechnic.

BibTeX

@misc{polytechnic_2026,
  title = {polytechnic},
  howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://micwyn.com/word/polytechnic},
  urldate = {2026-11-06}
}