apparatus

noun

ap·​pa·​ra·​tus ˌa-pə-ˈra-təs  -ˈrā- 

plural apparatuses or apparatus

1

a

: a set of materials or equipment designed for a particular use

b

: a group of anatomical or cytological parts functioning together

mitotic apparatus

c

: an instrument or appliance designed for a specific operation

an apparatus for measuring vision

2

: the functional processes by means of which a systematized activity is carried out

the apparatus of society

: such as

a

: the machinery of government

b

: the organization of a political party or an underground movement

Synonyms of apparatus

• equipment
• gear

Examples of apparatus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And with that, the media apparatus will gloss over the behind-the-scenes men and women who keep the churn going. — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 24 July 2026

Each eye has a dedicated drainage system that anatomists call the lacrimal apparatus. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

The decimation of the national public-health apparatus has had a direct impact amid the cyclosporiasis crisis. — Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 23 July 2026

The lawsuit portrays those abuses as part of a broader campaign of political repression carried out by the country’s security apparatus. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin apparātus "act of preparing, display, trappings, equipment," from apparāre "to make ready, make preparations for" (from ad- ad- + parāre "to supply, provide, make ready") + -tus, suffix of verbal nouns — more at pare

First Known Use

circa 1628, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing apparatus

• Golgi apparatus

Rhymes for apparatus

• superlattice
• beatus
• flatus
• gratis
• lattice
• rattus
• satis
• status
• stratus

Kids Definition

apparatus

noun

ap·​pa·​ra·​tus ˌap-ə-ˈrat-əs  -ˈrāt- 

plural apparatuses or apparatus

1

: the equipment or material for a particular use or job

laboratory apparatus

2

: a complicated instrument or device

Medical Definition

apparatus

noun

ap·​pa·​ra·​tus ˌap-ə-ˈrat-əs  -ˈrāt- 

plural apparatuses or apparatus

: a group of anatomical and cytological parts having a common function

the respiratory apparatus

see golgi apparatus