http://www.nanoindustries.com/define.html

The nanoscale is about a thousand times smaller than micro that is, about 1/80,000 of the diameter of a human hair. Approximately 3 to 6 atoms can fit inside of a nanometer, depending on the atom. The prefix nano means ten to the minus ninth power, or one billionth. Nanoscale technologies are the development and use of devices that have a size of only a few nanometres. Nanotechnologists manipulate single molecules and atoms. Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary definition: nano·tech·nol·o·gy Pronunciation: "na-nO-tek-'nä-l&-jE Function: noun Date: 1987 : the art of manipulating materials on an atomic or molecular scale especially to build microscopic devices (as robots). Engines of Creation Glossary: Nanotechnology - technology based on the manipulation of individual atoms and molecules to build structures to complex, atomic specifications. The About.com definition at the physics portal: Nanotechnology Definition: The development and use of devices that have a size of only a few nanometres. Research has been carried out into very small components, which depend on electronic effects and may involve movement of a countable number of electrons in their action. Such devices would act faster than larger components. Considerable interest has been shown in the production of structures on a molecular level by suitable sequences of chemical reactions. It is also possible to manipulate individual atoms on surfaces using a variant of the atomic force microscope. Webopedia's definition of nanotechnology A field of science whose goal is to control individual atoms and molecules to create computer chips and other devices that are thousands of times smaller than current technologies permit. Current manufacturing processes use lithography to imprint circuits on semiconductor materials. While lithography has improved dramatically over the last two decades -- to the point where some manufacturing plants can produce circuits smaller than one micron (1,000 nanometers) -- it still deals with aggregates of millions of atoms. It is widely believed that lithography is quickly approaching its physical limits. To continue reducing the size of semiconductors, new technologies that juggle individual atoms will be necessary. This is the realm of nanotechnology.Although research in this field dates back to Richard P. Feynman's classic talk in 1959, the term nanotechnology was first coined by K. Eric Drexler in 1986 in the book Engines of Creation.In the popular press, the term nanotechnology is sometimes used to refer to any sub-micron process, including lithography. Because of this, many scientists are beginning to use the term molecular nanotechnology when talking about true nanotechnology at the molecular level. Whatisit.com definition: Nanotechnology, or, as it is sometimes called, molecular manufacturing, is a branch of engineering that deals with the design and manufacture of extremely small electronic circuits and mechanical devices built at the molecular level of matter. The Institute of Nanotechnology in the U.K. expresses it as "science and technology where dimensions and tolerances in the range of 0.1 nanometer (nm) to 100 nm play a critical role." Nanotechnology is often discussed together with micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS), a subject that usually includes nanotechnology but may also include technologies higher than the molecular level. (click the link for entire definition) You may also read useful introductions at the Foresight Institute website. Read "What is Nanotechnology" at the Foresight Institute website. See Nanotechnology Magazine definition. There is current work being done on the nanoscale at universities, major corporations, private starts ups and military and NASA labs. (these include self assembled nanoparticles, nanotubes, nanorings, nanowires, nanocomposites, and Nadrian Seemans work at NYU which produced a nanorobotic arm out of synthetic DNA). The goals of the research, range from biotech applications, to nanoassemblers, nanocomputers, and nanochips along with molecular electronics. There are also more advanced scenarios to the potential applications of nanotechnology. These astounding and various possibilities are estimated to happen from 5 to 30 years from now. The work that is being done now tends to be used with atomic force microscopy, or scanning tunneling microscopy. You may recall the IBM commercial where their Almaden lab had pushed together some thirty odd xenon atoms to spell out the letters IBM. This was a great achievement for the nanotech field, underlining that, we can move them. Eventually there is aim to construct capabilities beyond merely moving atoms around but to bind them and build atomic specified molecular machines. The first mention of this type of tiny science was by Richard Feynman at his famous 1959 talk. The great generator of nanotech at the time is K. Eric Drexler, who wrote the book Engines Of Creation, and Nanosystems among others. He is chairman of the Foresight Institute who's goal is to prepare for nanotechnology. Foresight holds annual conferences and gatherings for its senior associates.