machinist

noun

ma·​chin·​ist mə-ˈshē-nist 

1

a

: a worker who fabricates, assembles, or repairs machinery

b

: a craftsman skilled in the use of machine tools

c

: one who operates a machine

2

archaic : a person in charge of the mechanical aspects of a theatrical production

3

: a warrant officer who supervises machinery and engine operation

Examples of machinist in a Sentence

He is a machinist at the factory.

Recent Examples on the Web

Skilled trades professions such as computer numerical control machinists, are also considered safe, as are drone operators and first responders, which are jobs that involve complex problem-solving in unpredictable physical environments and that require manual dexterity, Sebasco said. —Francine Knowles, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2025

Plants ran shorthanded constantly; one missing machinist could idle a multimillion-dollar production line for weeks. —Dasha Shunina, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025

Prosecutors said Wei used his position as a machinist’s mate on the amphibious assault ship USS Essex at Naval Base San Diego to feed information to a Chinese intelligence officer who recruited Wei on social media in February 2022. —Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 21 Aug. 2025

What To Know Jinchao Wei, 25, also known as Patrick Wei, served as a machinist's mate aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Essex based at Naval Base San Diego. —Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1706, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for machinist

• alienist
• hygienist
• cleanest
• greenest
• keenest
• meanest

Kids Definition

machinist

noun

ma·​chin·​ist mə-ˈshē-nəst 

: a person who makes or works on machines and engines