machinery

play

noun ma·chin·ery \ mə-ˈshē-nə-rē , -ˈshēn-rē \

Definition of machinery

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

See machinery defined for English-language learners

See machinery defined for kids

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 of machinery from the Web

The collision caused significant damage to the hull, flooded nearby compartments, including crew berthing, machinery and communications rooms, the 7th Fleet said in a statement.

— anna fifield, chicagotribune.com, "Divers locate remains of some sailors on the USS John S. McCain after collision," 22 Aug. 2017
The hole flooded the ship's interior, including crew berthing, machinery, and communications rooms.

— kyle mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "No, the USS McCain Wasn't a Victim of GPS Spoofing," 21 Aug. 2017
Significant damage to the hull resulted in flooding to nearby compartments, including crew berthing, machinery, and communications rooms.

— margaret hartmann, Daily Intelligencer, "10 Sailors Missing After U.S. Navy Destroyer Collides With Oil Tanker Near Singapore," 21 Aug. 2017
In a way, we in the audience are meant to identify with Hamm’s blank slate machinery, collecting morsels of information along the way.

— jordan hoffman, vanityfair.com, "Marjorie Prime Review: This Quiet Sci-Fi Is the Best Kind of Virtual Insanity," 17 Aug. 2017
In a way, we in the audience are meant to identify with Hamm’s blank slate machinery, collecting morsels of information along the way.

— jordan hoffman, HWD, "Marjorie Prime Review: This Quiet Sci-Fi Is the Best Kind of Virtual Insanity," 17 Aug. 2017
The grain corn should have about 25 percent moisture when it is harvested, and machinery is used to get the moisture level to 15 percent, according to Rose.

— david anderson, The Aegis, "Harford farmers expect good corn yields, but prices could be better," 15 Aug. 2017
The two of us set out on an impromptu bike tour of various artists' studios, weaving through antiques stalls and onto a small road lined with homes and former machinery workshops and production spaces.

— gisela williams, Smithsonian, "How This Tiny Town Drew World-Class Artists into the Forests of Finland," 10 Aug. 2017
This hijacks a cell’s protein-making machinery, causing it to turn out components for new viruses.

— The Economist, "Gene drivesA promising means of pest control meets some evolutionary truths," 22 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'machinery.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of machinery

1687

machinery Synonyms

Synonyms

agency, instrument, instrumentality, agent, means, medium, ministry, organ, vehicle

MACHINERY Defined for English Language Learners

machinery

play

noun

Definition of machinery for English Language Learners

: machines of a particular kind or machines in general
: the working parts of a machine
: an organization or system by which something is done

MACHINERY Defined for Kids

machinery

play

noun ma·chin·ery \ mə-ˈshē-nə-rē , -ˈshēn-rē \

Definition of machinery for Students

1 :a group of devices with moving parts that are used to perform specific jobs

2 :the working parts of a device used to perform a particular job

3 :the people and equipment by which something is done

the machinery of government

Learn More about machinery

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for machinery Spanish Central: Translation of machinery Nglish: Translation of machinery for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of machinery for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about machinery

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machinery

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machinery

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