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 lawsuit filed by the families names Wilburn, Riverside County, and the cities of Beaumont and Calimesa as defendants, alleging the intersection was dangerously designed and maintained, with inadequate sight lines caused by roadway geometry, vegetation and utility equipment. —Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 22 June 2026

Interest rates rose, supply chains tightened, equipment costs increased, and project economics deteriorated. —Robert Rapier, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026

The training center could be 6,000 square feet with office space, lockers, restrooms and showers, equipment storage and repair space, and indoor putting and simulation areas. —Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 21 June 2026

The building is so big, and the flames are in such hard-to-reach areas, that firefighters have needed to get creative with their approach, using water-dropping helicopters and other heavy equipment. —Arkansas Online, 21 June 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.