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

• 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

Karl Mayer German textile machinery firm Karl Mayer has named Lutz Wolf as its sole CEO. —Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 3 Oct. 2025

Officials met with family members Thursday and agreed to start using heavy machinery to remove the debris and recover the bodies. —Helen Regan, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025

Local officials have now met with family members and agreed to begin using machinery to move the rubble and start recovering bodies. —Kirsty Hatcher, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025

After using explosives and heavy machinery to extract ore from the earth, mining companies must isolate and purify the minerals in question. —Vanessa Bates Ramirez, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 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