Science & Technology Vocabulary

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Vocabulary on the theme of science and technology.

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Advanced Science & Technology Vocabulary

Advanced Everyday Tech Objects

gadgetA small tool, machine or electronic device that has a specific, useful purpose. It is often clever, modern or fun to use.
deviceAn object, piece of equipment or electronic machine built to perform a specific task.
smartphoneA mobile phone that works like a small computer.
hard driveThe main storage part inside a computer.
flash driveA small, portable digital file storage device. Also called a “thumb drive” or a “USB drive.”
thumb driveA small, portable digital file storage device. Also called a “flash drive” or a “USB drive.”
USB driveA small, portable digital file storage device. Also called a “thumb drive” or a “flash drive.”
scannerDevice that turns paper documents into digital files.
touchscreenA display screen that responds to finger or stylus contact.
modemA device that allows you to connect to the internet.
routerA device that makes the internet connection using wi-fi.
wirelessThat can send information without any physical cables or wires.
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Advanced Everyday Digital Tech

passwordA secret word, phrase or combination of letters, numbers, and symbols used to unlock an account or electronic device.
settingsThe controls on a computer, phone or app that let you change how it works or looks.
notificationsMessages from a device that inform you about something new.
updateA new version of software or an app that fixes bugs or adds new features.
browserProgram or app that allows you to visit and view websites on the internet.
streamingA way to watch videos or listen to music over the internet in real time.
storageThe space where digital files and applications are kept.
dataDigital information that computers process.
cloudInternet-based file storage.
wi-fiWireless technology that connects devices to the internet.
operating systemThe main software program that manages a computer, phone or tablet.
databaseAn organized collection of information (data).
GPSShort for “Global Positioning System.” A navigation system that shows your exact position and gives you directions.
compatibilityHardware or software is designed to fit, connect or communicate smoothly with another system.
bugAn issue with a computer program or app that makes it crash or malfunction.
glitchA temporary problem that stops equipment or software working properly for a short time.
spamUnwanted, digital junk mail or electronic messages.
virusA harmful program or code designed to cause damage to a computer or device.
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Advanced Science Fields & People

FieldWhat is studiedPerson who studies it
anthropologyHuman origins, history, biology and culturesanthropologist
archeologyExamining past human life, ancient objects, buildings and toolsarcheologist
astrophysicsStars, planets, galaxies and the universe, using math and physicsastrophysicist
ecologyHow living things interact with each other and with their environmentecologist
environmental scienceA combination of ecology, geology, biology and chemistry to study environmental problems and find solutions for our planetenvironmental scientist
forestryPlanting, growing and protecting trees forester
geneticsHow living things pass traits and features from parents to their children geneticist
horticultureGrowing and caring for garden plants, fruits, vegetables and flowers horticulturist
ichthyologyScientific study of fish speciesichthyologist
linguisticsHow human language workslinguist
marine biologyPlants, animals and other living things that live in the ocean and salt water marine biologist
meteorologyThe atmosphere, weather and climatemeteorologist
microbiologyVery small living things like bacteria, viruses and microbesmicrobiologist
neurologyMedical issues related to the brain and the nervous systemneurologist
neuroscienceHow the brain and the nervous system allow us to think, feel, learn and moveneuroscientist
nuclear scienceThe centre of atoms (called the nucleus) and the powerful energy inside them.nuclear scientist
ornithologyScientific study of bird speciesornithologist
paleontologyScientific study of ancient life, primarily fossilspaleontologist
physicsEnergy and matter interactions, including forces, motion, light and gravityphysicist
quantum physicsTiniest building blocks of matter, like atoms and light particles, where the standard rules of physics do not apply quantum physicist
roboticsDesign, building and programming of robotsroboticist
seismologyEarthquakes and the movement of energy waves through the Earth seismologist
sociologyHuman society, social behaviour, and how people interact in groups, communities and culturessociologist
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Advanced Research & Development

algorithmA set of instructions or rules a computer uses to solve a problem or complete a task
analysisThe process of breaking something down into smaller parts to study and understand it better
cellThe smallest basic unit of life that makes up all living things 
chartA drawing or diagram that shows information or numbers as a picture, table or graph
chemical reactionThe process where two or more substances combine or change to make a completely new substance
circuitA complete, closed path that electricity flows through
codingThe act of writing step-by-step instructions for a computer to perform a specific task
digitalInformation recorded, stored or processed using computer code
elementA pure substance made of only one single type of atom that cannot be broken down into anything simpler. For example, oxygen, hydrogen, titanium)
evidenceThe facts, information or observations that show whether an idea is true or false 
evolutionThe long process where living things change over a very long period of time in order to survive in their environment 
hypothesisA smart educated guess or prediction that can be tested with an experiment
osmosisMovement of water molecules through a membrane
procedureA series of actions done in a specific, correct order to complete a task or experiment safely and accurately
propertiesThe special qualities, features or characteristics that describe something or how it behaves 
sensorA device that detects physical changes like heat, light, sound or movement
systemA group of related parts that work together to perform a specific task
virtualSomething created or simulated by a computer that exists digitally, rather than physically in the real world
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Click to listen to the Advanced Science & Technology-Related Verbs.

Common Prefixes & Suffixes

Prefixes and suffixes are letters or groups of letters attached to words to create new words.

Prefixes are placed at the beginning of words.
Suffixes are placed at the end of words.

They are widely used in science and technology vocabulary and can help you understand the meaning of certain words.

Here are some frequently used prefixes and suffixes.

PrefixMeaningExamples
geo_Earth, land or groundgeography
geology
geolocation
bio_Life, living thingsbiology
biotechnology
biodiversity
aero_Air, gas or atmosphereaerospace
aeronautics
aerosol
hydro_Water, liquidhydroelectricity
hydroplane
hydration
astro_Stars, planets or outer spaceastronomy
astronaut
astrophysics
micro_Very small or tinymicrobe
microchip
microscope
giga_One billiongigabytes
gigawatt
Giant, very largegigantic
nano_One-billionth (1/1 000 000 000)nanosecond
nanowatt
Extremely tinynanobot
nanotechnology
SuffixMeaningExamples
_ologyThe study ofbiology
archeology
psychology
_istPerson who studies or works in a specific areascientist
biologist
chemist
_metryThe process of measuringgeometry
symmetry
chronometry
_ianA skilled person who works in a specific fieldtechnician
mathematician
electrician

For more on the topic, visit the Prefixes & Suffixes page.

Exercise – Advanced Science & Technology Vocabulary

(Coming soon)