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

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

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

There is only one global manufacturer of this extremely high-tech piece of machinery (ASML, a Dutch company) and it’s currently considered all but impossible to produce advanced computer chips without it. —Christine McDaniel, Forbes, 6 Sep. 2024

Workers assemble mini excavators in a factory of heavy machinery in Suzhou in east China’s Jiangsu province on Oct. 23, 2023. —Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2024

Before police arrived, the suspect operating the heavy machinery opened fire on several people in the carport who attempted to flee, police said. —Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 2 Sep. 2024

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, 1 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1731, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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