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
Explore M-W
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.
Origin and Etymology of machine
Middle French, from Latin machina, from Greek mēchanē (Doric dialect machana), from mēchos means, expedient — more at may
First Known Use: circa 1545
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.
1853
First Known Use of machine
1853
Other Mechanical Engineering Terms
MACHINE Defined for English Language Learners
Definition of machine for English Language Learners
-
: a piece of equipment with moving parts that does work when it is given power from electricity, gasoline, etc.
-
: a vehicle (such as a car or motorcycle)
-
: a person or group that does something efficiently, quickly, or repeatedly like a machine
machine
Definition of machine for English Language Learners
-
: to shape (something) by using a machine
MACHINE Defined for Kids
Learn More about machine
-
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
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up machine? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!