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

Energy plays a major role throughout the food supply chain, from powering farm machinery and producing fertilizers to transporting crops and processing them into food products. —Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 12 Mar. 2026

While renewable energy is cheap, the high price of specialized machinery keeps the final product expensive. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 12 Mar. 2026

Traffic hummed along the avenue, and machinery whirred at the tire shop. —Thomas Lake, AJC.com, 12 Mar. 2026

But many categories—especially industrial machinery—faced 8–12% cost increases that squeezed margins and slowed growth. —Paul S. Lavoie, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 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