hi-techhi-tech /ˌhaɪˈtek◂/ adjective informal 
Thesaurus
ThesaurusLongman Language Activatormachines, systems etc► advanced
another spelling of high-tech · The factory has installed advanced machinery at enormous cost.· Modern armies consist of fewer soldiers and more advanced weapons systems.· The bomb-detection equipment now used in most airports is very advanced.
► sophisticated very advanced, and better designed or more skilfully made than other things of the same type, and often working in a complicated way: · The missile has a sophisticated guidance system.highly sophisticated (=very sophisticated): · Eye operations often involve the use of highly sophisticated equipment, such as lasers.
► high-tech/hi-tech: high-tech industry/company/equipment etc using very advanced electronic equipment and machines, especially computers: · Northern California remains a popular location for high-tech firms.· On display at the exhibition will be a range of 'hi-tech homes of the future'.· Prices of computers, electronics, and other high-tech products have fallen at a rapid pace.
► smart a smart machine, bomb, weapon etc has a computer system that makes it able to control itself and make decisions for itself about how to operate: · The US used smart weapons in Iraq and Kosovo.· Smart machines and other appliances are operated via the Internet.
► state-of-the-art using the most advanced and recently developed methods, materials, or knowledge: · The new phone system uses state-of-the-art technology.· The movie was made with state-of-the-art computer graphics.
► be ahead of its time if something is ahead of its time , it is new and very different from other things of a similar type - use this especially about things that people do not understand or like at first, but later realize how good they are: · The Vortex graphics system was ahead of its time. Few were sold but it strongly influenced later designs.· Bonner's research in particle physics was ahead of its time and widely misunderstood.
► at the leading edge of/cutting edge of in a more advanced position than other organizations or companies in developing and using new methods, systems, or equipment: · The company is trying to regain its position at the leading edge of biomedical research.· Developments in computer chip design are at the cutting edge of the technological revolution.