machinery

noun

ma·​chin·​ery mə-ˈshē-nə-rē How to pronounce machinery (audio)
-ˈshēn-rē
plural machineries
1
a
: machines in general or as a functioning unit
b
: the working parts of a machine
2
: the means or system by which something is kept in action or a desired result is obtained
the machinery of government

Examples of machinery in a Sentence

Some of the mill's machinery was damaged in the fire. a piece of farm machinery Something was clogging the machinery. The United Nations has set up machinery for mediation.
Recent Examples on the Web Wheels appear in countless places beyond just vehicles—on machinery, office chairs, toys, suitcases, and more. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024 Biden has championed the CHIPS and Science Act, which is designed to rejuvenate America's role in producing semiconductors, which power all sorts of modern appliances, equipment and machinery. Russ Wiles, The Arizona Republic, 17 Oct. 2024 Anyone involved in outdoor activities should carry water and extinguish sparks from muzzleloader guns or machinery, the department said. Amir Mahmoud, arkansasonline.com, 17 Oct. 2024 While organisms have evolved and diversified, their RNA-reading machinery has largely stayed the same. Annie Melchor, WIRED, 13 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for machinery 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'machinery.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1731, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of machinery was in 1731

Dictionary Entries Near machinery

Cite this Entry

“Machinery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/machinery. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

machinery

noun
ma·​chin·​ery mə-ˈshēn-(ə-)rē How to pronounce machinery (audio)
plural machineries
1
: machines in general
2
: the working parts of a machine or instrument
3
: the organization or system by which something is done or carried on
machinery of government

More from Merriam-Webster on machinery

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