equipment

noun

equip·​ment i-ˈkwip-mənt 

1

a

: the set of articles or physical resources serving to equip a person or thing: such as

(1)

: the implements used in an operation or activity : apparatus

sports equipment

(2)

: all the fixed assets other than land and buildings of a business enterprise

(3)

: the rolling stock of a railway

b

: a piece of such equipment

2

a

: the equipping of a person or thing

b

: the state of being equipped

3

: mental or emotional traits or resources : endowment

Synonyms of equipment

• gear
• apparatus
• facilities
• stuff
• kit
• hardware
• material(s)

Examples of equipment in a Sentence

The photographer came early to set up his equipment.

I'm looking for a hobby that doesn't require a lot of fancy equipment.

an expensive piece of medical equipment

Not enough funds were provided for the equipment of the troops.

Recent Examples on the Web

The most valuable equipment was saved, but a few workers ended up in the hospital. — Daria Egidi, Vanity Fair, 23 Aug. 2026

Ukraine has struck an Iranian ship in the Caspian Sea because the ship was carrying military equipment between Russia and Iran. — Tom Jurkowsky, Baltimore Sun, 23 Aug. 2026

The deployment has raised widespread concerns about the impact on service members who are away from land for long periods, food shortages, as well as the increasing strain on the ship and its equipment. — ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026

Prime Minister Carney said there will be new retaliatory tariffs rolling out next week on steel, dairy appliances, ag equipment, pulp and paper, electronics. — CBS News, 23 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing equipment

• original equipment manufacturer
• personal protection equipment
• personal protective equipment
• re-equipment

Rhymes for equipment

• transhipment
• transshipment
• shipment

Kids Definition

equipment

noun

equip·​ment i-ˈkwip-mənt 

1

a

: the act of equipping a person or thing

b

: the state of being equipped

2

: the articles serving to equip a person or thing

Legal Definition

equipment

noun

equip·​ment

: the implements used in an operation or activity

specifically, in the Uniform Commercial Code : goods that are not inventory, farm products, or consumer goods

Note: This definition, found in Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code, applies to other Code articles as well.