Terminology Database
Terminology is the bread and butter of technical communication. Our online terminology database can help you to find the right technical terms.
Preferred, Admitted, Do Not Use
A Common Language: The Technical Communication Terminology Database
As a professional association, tekom is dedicated to developing a standardized terminology for technical communication—one that is not only available to everyone but also open to active contribution from the community.
To support this mission, tekom established the “Terminology of Technical Communication” working group (AG TTK). Comprised of volunteers, the group is open to anyone with an interest in terminology work. We typically meet once a month via video conference to discuss current and emerging terms in the field, with some sessions conducted entirely in English.
All compiled terms and definitions are available in our freely accessible online terminology database. At the bottom of this page, you’ll find login credentials and brief instructions to help you get started.
To keep our database relevant and evolving, we welcome your suggestions for new terms or updates to existing entries. If you have a passion for terminology, we would love to have you join the AG TTK as an active member. Please reach out to us at terminologie@tekom.org to get involved.
The AG TTK maintains an active presence in developing international standards through its members' collaboration with ISO/TC37 Working Group 10, the authors of the ISO 24183 "Technical Communication — Vocabulary".
Since December 2022, we have also partnered with COM&TEC’s Terminology Working Group, which maintains the Italian entries in our database. Their team of experts discusses and finalizes these terms during monthly meetings.
Terminology is a cornerstone of technical communication. For over a decade, the "Terminology in Technical Communication" volunteer working group has met monthly to compile, review, and approve terms for our public database. In this interview, active members of the AG TTK discuss the group’s goals, their personal motivations, and how they benefit from contributing to this valuable resource.
Who makes up the AG TTK team?
We are a team of tekom volunteers bringing a wide range of skills and backgrounds to the table. Our members represent sectors such as service, industry, and academia, with expertise ranging from terminology and translation to technical writing, law, and standards. We’re united by a shared interest in advancing our field—and we have a lot of fun doing it. Currently, our core group consists of about 10 members, frequently joined by guests. It’s a very open atmosphere, so it is definitely worth attending an online meeting as a guest to see what we’re about, with no obligation.
What are you aiming to achieve?
Our primary aim is to demonstrate the practical value of terminology work. The AG TTK’s output, particularly our database, offers reliable guidance for anyone needing precise technical communication terms, whether for daily use or occasional reference. At its core, structuring knowledge and defining terms clearly are essential for unambiguous, efficient communication within any discipline. This is true for both internal company coordination as well as external communication with customers and practitioners.
Furthermore, our database serves as a functional blueprint. By demonstrating how a terminology resource can be structured and maintained, we provide a practical reference for any organization looking to implement or optimize their own terminology solution.
What does the actual work in the TTK Working Group involve?
Our workflow typically begins with suggestions for new entries or applications to modify existing ones. After a brief group discussion, individual members take on the task of drafting these entries—ideally including a definition, context, and synonyms. These drafts are then reviewed and approved by the full group during our next meeting. We draw inspiration for new content from our proposal database, other tekom initiatives like the iiRDS Consortium, and the expertise of our members.
Beyond database maintenance, our meetings cover broader strategic topics. We work on optimizing the database structure, reorganizing subject areas, and enriching entries with term relationships. We also focus on outreach, sharing our findings through tutorials and meetups at the annual tcworld conference.
What makes participating in the AG TTK so rewarding?
First and foremost, it’s the dynamic nature of the field. Terminology is never truly "finished," especially in technical communication, where areas like artificial intelligence are constantly introducing new concepts. This allows us to keep a pulse on the future of our industry. Working with the database also reveals new dimensions of the discipline; for instance, we are currently focusing on complex term relationships and how to represent them effectively.
Our reach is also becoming increasingly international. While our German and English entries are well-established, our partnership with COM&TEC Italia has added a wealth of Italian data. This year, we plan to involve tekom Europe members to expand into even more languages. To support this growth, we are transitioning to holding our meetings in English more frequently.
Beyond the technical work, we all benefit from the collective expertise of the group. It’s a fantastic source of inspiration and support for everyday professional challenges. And quite frankly, it’s a lot of fun—we believe volunteering should be an enjoyable experience.
Members of the TTK Working Group:
Susanna Akdut, Jennifer Bennor, Andreas Breyer, Rachel Herwartz, Sabine Mahr. Klaus-Dirk Schmitz, Michael Schröder, Tara Tan und Claudia Villiger.
Help shape the future of tekom terminology. If you’d like to join one of our periodic English-language meetings as a guest, please reach out to us at terminologie@
To search for existing terminology, log in with the following access data:
Login: tekom_EN
Passwort: tekom_EN
If you have any questions, please contact terminology@