equipment

noun

equip·​ment i-ˈkwip-mənt 

1

a

: the set of articles or physical resources serving to equip a person or thing: such as

(1)

: the implements used in an operation or activity : apparatus

sports equipment

(2)

: all the fixed assets other than land and buildings of a business enterprise

(3)

: the rolling stock of a railway

b

: a piece of such equipment

2

a

: the equipping of a person or thing

b

: the state of being equipped

3

: mental or emotional traits or resources : endowment

Synonyms of equipment

• gear
• apparatus
• facilities
• stuff
• kit
• hardware
• material(s)

Examples of equipment in a Sentence

The photographer came early to set up his equipment.

I'm looking for a hobby that doesn't require a lot of fancy equipment.

an expensive piece of medical equipment

Not enough funds were provided for the equipment of the troops.

Recent Examples on the Web

This oil can be upgraded into fuels or converted into bio-graphite using existing refinery equipment. —Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 26 Mar. 2026

The National Transportation Safety Board said a fire truck that collided with an Air Canada commercial jet at LaGuardia International Airport over the weekend lacked the equipment needed to trigger a warning system before the deadly crash. —Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026

Williams recently celebrated his 55th wedding anniversary and was enjoying his retirement after a career making bulletproof equipment, family members said. —Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2026

In 1967, the FAA requested about $100 million to both modernize its equipment and hire more controllers. —Colleen Mondor, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing equipment

• original equipment manufacturer
• personal protection equipment
• personal protective equipment
• re-equipment

Rhymes for equipment

• transhipment
• transshipment
• shipment

Kids Definition

equipment

noun

equip·​ment i-ˈkwip-mənt 

1

a

: the act of equipping a person or thing

b

: the state of being equipped

2

: the articles serving to equip a person or thing

Legal Definition

equipment

noun

equip·​ment

: the implements used in an operation or activity

specifically, in the Uniform Commercial Code : goods that are not inventory, farm products, or consumer goods

Note: This definition, found in Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code, applies to other Code articles as well.