machinery

noun

ma·​chin·​ery mə-ˈshē-nə-rē 

-ˈshēn-rē

plural machineries

1

a

: machines in general or as a functioning unit

b

: the working parts of a machine

2

: the means or system by which something is kept in action or a desired result is obtained

the machinery of government

Synonyms of machinery

• instrumentality
• vehicle
• instrument
• means
• agent
• mechanism
• organ

Examples of machinery in a Sentence

Some of the mill's machinery was damaged in the fire.

a piece of farm machinery

Something was clogging the machinery.

The United Nations has set up machinery for mediation.

Recent Examples on the Web

Children have to be at least 36 inches tall to be a lap rider to operate the machinery. —Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 May 2026

As much as possible, workers were meant to be mere appendages of decision-making managers, components of capital’s machinery. —Literary Hub, 12 May 2026

Researchers say the process turns the material into a kind of solid-state water harvester that works using only sunlight, without the need for external power sources or complex machinery. —Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 12 May 2026

Earthly lubricants won’t withstand the moon’s vacuum, which additionally serves as insulation preventing the release of excess heat from machinery. —Dan Vergano, Scientific American, 11 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1731, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for machinery

• deanery
• greenery
• scenery
• turbomachinery

Kids Definition

machinery

noun

ma·​chin·​ery mə-ˈshēn-(ə-)rē 

plural machineries

1

: machines in general

2

: the working parts of a machine or instrument

3

: the organization or system by which something is done or carried on

machinery of government