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

Three days after the executive order, the White House implemented the order through National Security Presidential Memorandum 7, which converts the fiction into machinery. — Jason M. Blazakis, The Conversation, 22 July 2026

Other industries have shorter time lines, but compound growth can make a noticeable difference over just ten years, much shorter than the average lives of buildings and much machinery. — Bill Conerly, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

The wallpaper in many of the rooms was removed due to the possibility of vibrating machinery damaging the delicate paper. — Ben Jureidini, Vanity Fair, 21 July 2026

Leaders had to look at the ruins and imagine the machinery of repair. — Harry Bruinius, Christian Science Monitor, 21 July 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