machinery

noun

ma·​chin·​ery mə-ˈshē-nə-rē 

-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

Synonyms of machinery

• instrumentality
• vehicle
• instrument
• means
• agent
• mechanism
• organ

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

Access to fuel, machinery and transportation routes often requires payments in gold to authorities or armed networks, embedding illicit production in the supply chain. —Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026

But don’t dismantle the machinery that makes America First actually work. —Kelly Sloan, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Apr. 2026

Rejected by the Big Five publishers, Goebel is pursuing grassroots promotion through social media and street art rather than traditional book industry machinery. —Molly Lambert, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026

Think of all the electricity running the machinery that does the processing and the packaging. —Jacqueline Munis, Fortune, 8 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1731, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for machinery

• deanery
• greenery
• scenery
• turbomachinery

Kids Definition

machinery

noun

ma·​chin·​ery mə-ˈshēn-(ə-)rē 

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