apparatus

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

|Updated on: 5 Aug 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

An op-ed by Michael Goodwin in the New York Post describes how Clinton is running a political and fund-raising apparatus to oppose and resist President Trump that could be unleashed before the next presidential election.

— Fox News, "Senate fight awaits Trump's Supreme Court pick," 10 July 2018
Just a year after the site’s creation, Jeff Bezos, Amazon’s founder, bought The Washington Post for $250 million, seen as a remarkably low price for a news organization with a historic brand name and a vast publishing apparatus.

— New York Times, "Quartz, Atlantic Media’s Business News Start-Up, Is Sold to Japanese Firm," 2 July 2018
No details need to be worked out beforehand and no agency apparatus is needed to carry a pardon out.

— campbell robertson, New York Times, "Pardon Seekers Have a New Strategy in the Trump Era: ‘It’s Who You Know’," 12 July 2018
In contrast to O’Rourke, Cruz’s fundraising apparatus includes his re-election campaign, a joint fundraising committee and a leadership PAC.

— kevin diaz and jeremy wallace, San Antonio Express-News, "Beto O’Rourke sets new fundraising records," 12 July 2018
The new fire apparatus named in his honor replaces a 2008 fire engine.

— jerry fallstrom, OrlandoSentinel.com, "New Clermont firetruck to be dedicated to firefighter who died at 32 in 2016," 9 July 2018
The idea is to get some headroom so the boys would not be reliant on scuba apparatus for a long stretch and could keep their heads above water.

— author: tassanee vejpongsa, kaweewit kaewjimda, Anchorage Daily News, "Thai diver dies in effort to rescue boys soccer team from cave," 6 July 2018
The idea is to get some headroom so the boys would not be reliant on scuba apparatus for a long stretch and could keep their heads above water.

— Fox News, "Thais fight water and oxygen levels in cave as diver dies," 6 July 2018
The idea is to get some headroom so the boys would not be reliant on scuba apparatus for a long stretch and could keep their heads above water.

— Washington Post, "Rescuers race to drain water inside Thai cave before rains," 5 July 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