Definition of machine
1a archaic : a constructed thing whether material or immaterialb : conveyance, vehicle; especially : automobilec archaic : a military engined : any of various apparatuses formerly used to produce stage effectse (1) : an assemblage (see assemblage 1) of parts that transmit forces, motion, and energy one to another in a predetermined manner (2) : an instrument (such as a lever) designed to transmit or modify the application of power, force, or motionf : a mechanically, electrically, or electronically operated device for performing a task a machine for cleaning carpetsg : a coin-operated device a cigarette machineh : machinery —used with the or in plural
2a : a living organism or one of its functional systemsb : one that resembles a machine (as in being methodical, tireless, or consistently productive) a gifted publicist and quote machine — John Lancasterc (1) : a combination of persons acting together for a common end along with the agencies they use building a powerful war machine (2) : a highly organized political group under the leadership of a boss or small clique a politician who challenged the local party machine
3 : a literary device or contrivance introduced for dramatic effect
From the M-W Editors
Examples of machine in a Sentence
Shovels are tools; bulldozers are machines.
Do you know how to operate this machine?
The machine is working properly.
He was bragging about his new machine.
The coach turned the team into a scoring machine.
My younger brother is an eating machine.
a politician who dared to challenge the local party machine
Their army is a well-oiled machine.
Recent Examples of machine from the Web
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Keep your favorite pair from stretching out by washing and machine-drying jeans every two wears, or spray the insides with starch, then iron for a stiffer look.
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Tobacco families battle for dominance as the invention of the mechanized cigarette rolling machine sets to upend the traditional hand-rolling method.
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When it was called to the war effort, the boat was repainted and retrofitted with minesweeping gear to patrol the Straits of Dover for German mines, plus anti-aircraft machine guns.
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A high-cut cotton thong bodysuit is washing-machine-friendly.
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Outside the station are bus bays with arrival/departure screens, additional seating and vending machines.
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In May 1881, the first real test of the new machine revealed a fundamental problem that apparently had not been anticipated.
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The products would fool the smoking machines, and so they could be advertised as healthier.
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Inside, there’s an American flag on the wall, a popcorn machine in the corner and tissues on the wooden desk.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'machine.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of machine
Middle French, from Latin machina, from Greek mēchanē (Doric dialect machana), from mēchos means, expedient — more at may
Other Mechanical Engineering Terms
machine
Definition of machine
machined
;machining
transitive verb
: to process by or as if by machine; especially : to reduce or finish by or as if by turning, shaping, planing, or milling by machine-operated tools
Examples of machine in a Sentence
The parts of the engine have been precisely machined.
First Known Use of machine
1853
Other Mechanical Engineering Terms
MACHINE Defined for English Language Learners
machine
playDefinition of machine for English Language Learners
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: a piece of equipment with moving parts that does work when it is given power from electricity, gasoline, etc.
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: a vehicle (such as a car or motorcycle)
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: a person or group that does something efficiently, quickly, or repeatedly like a machine
machine
Definition of machine for English Language Learners
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: to shape (something) by using a machine
MACHINE Defined for Kids
Learn More about machine
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See words that rhyme with machine Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for machine Spanish Central: Translation of machine Nglish: Translation of machine for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of machine for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about machine
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