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

Its collection ranges from classic cars and early aviation to industrial machinery and pop-culture touchstones like the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile. —Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 27 Dec. 2025

The unprecedented procedure was conducted by a microsurgery team at Jinan’s Shandong Provincial Hospital, after the patient, identified only as Sun, suffered a devastating factory accident in which her hair got trapped in machinery during her shift. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 26 Dec. 2025

Carefully apply a thin layer of Vaseline to clean, dry blades and edges of yard equipment, hardware, tools, machinery, and more. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 25 Dec. 2025

Heavy machinery will be used to dig into the basement, Dippolito said. —Phil Helsel, NBC news, 23 Dec. 2025

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