apparatus

noun ap·pa·ra·tus \ ˌa-pə-ˈra-təs , -ˈrā- \

|Updated on: 24 Jun 2018

Definition of apparatus

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

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Recent Examples of apparatus from the Web

The latest filings show that as the general-election season quickly approaches, the Democratic Party is still piecing together its fundraising apparatus after an organizational reboot.

— michelle ye hee lee and anu narayanswamy, Washington Post, "RNC enters summer 2018 with double the amount of DNC’s war chest," 20 June 2018
Even if North Korea conceded much of its enrichment apparatus in an agreement, its government has backed out of international agreements before — both openly and in secret — and could do so again.

— umair irfan, Vox, "Uranium enrichment will be a key point in talks with North Korea. Here’s what it is.," 11 June 2018
For example, Billings said, an emergency call comes in as an Eighth District crew finishes fueling their apparatus at the fuel depot near the town landfill.

— jesse leavenworth, Courant Community, "Manchester Fire Departments Forge Closer Ties," 29 May 2018
And the action is of a piece with his ongoing war on his own law enforcement apparatus — which, since the Watergate years, has operated independently from the White House.

— cristian farias, Daily Intelligencer, "Donald Trump Comes Unglued Amid Growing Pressure From Bob Mueller," 21 May 2018
Mountain Brook's unofficial nickname alone (Tiny Kingdom) speaks to the foundational apparatus of social segregation that remains strong in modern-day metro Birmingham.

— joseph goodman, AL.com, "Black basketball families find equality, controversy in Mountain Brook," 1 May 2018
Flight attendants began helping passengers use masks as they were instructed in a preflight safety briefing, after donning their own portable breathing apparatuses, said passenger Kristopher Johnson.

— doug cameron, WSJ, "Southwest Accident Shows Passengers Unprepared for Emergencies," 19 Apr. 2018
And the fraying nuclear arms control regime has its own apparatus for verification and dispute resolution that is still functioning.

— fred weir, The Christian Science Monitor, "Why this round of expulsions may bring US, Russia to breaking point," 27 Mar. 2018
And executives in the company seem to understand the consequence of their apparatus.

— franklin foer, The Atlantic, "It’s Time to Regulate the Internet," 21 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'apparatus.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of apparatus

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1628

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year