Definition

Noun: A school teaching mechanical and industrial arts and the applied sciences. It is an institution focused on providing practical skills and theoretical knowledge for specific trades, technologies, or applied sciences, often leading to a certificate or diploma rather than a traditional academic degree.

Usage

This term is used to refer to a specific type of educational institution. It is a countable noun. * After high school, he enrolled in a technical school to become an automotive technician. * The local technical school offers programs in welding, electrical work, and computer-aided design. * Many technical schools have strong partnerships with local industries for student placements.

Advanced Usage

• The term can be part of formal institutional names (e.g., ).
• It is often contrasted with "liberal arts college" or "university," emphasizing its focus on vocational and applied education.

Variants and Related Words

• Vocational school: A very close synonym, often used interchangeably, though sometimes "vocational school" may imply a narrower focus on skilled manual trades.
• Trade school: Another common synonym, specifically emphasizing training for skilled trades (e.g., plumbing, carpentry).
• Polytechnic: An institution, often at a higher education level, offering instruction in many applied sciences and technical fields.
• Institute of technology: A type of higher education institution dedicated to engineering, technology, applied science, and sometimes natural sciences.

Synonyms

• Vocational school
• Trade school
• Polytechnic (in some contexts)

Related Phrases

• Technical education: The broader field or process of learning practical and industrial skills.
  • The government is investing in technical education to fill skills gaps in the economy.
• Technical training: Instruction focused on acquiring specific technical skills.
  • The job requires six months of on-the-job technical training.

Noun

1. a school teaching mechanical and industrial arts and the applied sciences