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

• gear
• apparatus
• facilities
• kit [chiefly British]
• hardware
• stuff
• 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

Other items listed in the top 20 product groups responsible for injuries included exercise equipment, cans, basketballs, ladders, desks, rugs and bathtubs. —Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025

The Star further reported that firefighters at the scene did not have advanced life saving equipment on scene, which might have aided in their resuscitation efforts. —Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2025

This is another article on some interesting developments from the IEEE Hot Chips Conference at Stanford, but first some interesting semiconductor statistics on industry equipment purchases and semiconductor sales. —Thomas Coughlin, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025

For the past 25 years, the Roadless Area Conservation Rule has kept vital forests and grassland safe from bulldozers, saws, excavators and drilling equipment. —Ryan Gellert, Time, 9 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1651, 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.