machine

noun, often attributive

ma·chine | \ mə-ˈshēn

Definition of machine

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : a mechanically, electrically, or electronically operated device for performing a task a machine for cleaning carpets

b : conveyance, vehicle especially : automobile

c : a coin-operated device a cigarette machine

d(1) : an assemblage (see assemblage sense 1) of parts that transmit forces, motion, and energy one to another in a predetermined manner

(2) : an instrument (such as a lever) designed to transmit or modify the application of power, force, or motion

e : machinery —used with the or in plural

f : any of various apparatuses formerly used to produce stage effects

2a : one that resembles a machine (as in being methodical, tireless, or consistently productive) a gifted publicist and quote machine— John Lancaster

b(1) : a combination of persons acting together for a common end along with the agencies they use building a powerful war machine

(2) : a highly organized political group under the leadership of a boss or small clique a politician who challenged the local party machine

c : a living organism or one of its functional systems

3 : a literary device or contrivance introduced for dramatic effect

4a archaic : a constructed thing whether material or immaterial

b archaic : a military engine

machine

verb

machined; machining

Definition of machine (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to process by or as if by machine especially : to reduce or finish by or as if by turning, shaping, planing, or milling by machine-operated tools

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Examples of machine in a Sentence

Noun Shovels are tools; bulldozers are machines. Do you know how to operate this machine? The machine is working properly. He was bragging about his new machine. The coach turned the team into a scoring machine. My younger brother is an eating machine. a politician who dared to challenge the local party machine Their army is a well-oiled machine. Verb The parts of the engine have been precisely machined.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun That's right: Save $100 on the extremely versatile machine that can cut hundreds of different materials, making home craft projects such as face masks or games for the kids a breeze. — Kai Burkhardt, CNN Underscored, "The best sales to shop this weekend: Adidas, Lenovo, Cricut and more," 29 May 2020 At peak in mid-April, almost all such patients were relying on the breathing machines. — Elise Young, Bloomberg.com, "New Jersey Raising Outdoor Gathering Limit to 25 People From 10," 26 May 2020 In Loughlin's case, for example, daughters Olivia Jade Giannulli and Isabella Rose Giannulli were photographed working out on rowing machines used by crew athletes, prosecutors said. — NBC News, "Lori Loughlin and husband plead guilty to charges stemming from college admissions scandal," 22 May 2020 This huge push to ventilate more than one person on a single machine? — Scientific American, "Grief on the Front Line—and Beyond," 22 May 2020 Eighteen were placed on ventilators and two of them remain on the breathing machines more than a month later, said Dr. Lara S. Shekerdemian, chief of critical care at Texas Children’s Hospital, and an author of the study. — BostonGlobe.com, "Study: Virus death toll in NYC worse than official tally," 11 May 2020 The face coverings, which are made in the USA, are machine washable. — cleveland, "New Cleveland Cavaliers face masks on sale for coronavirus protection," 11 May 2020 The masks, made per Centers for Disease Control regulations, are machine washable in cold water; tumble dry on low. — Leada Gore | Lgore@al.com, al, "Old Navy selling 5 face masks for $12.50," 11 May 2020 The challenge: The bulk of the testing now being done requires a difficult nasalpharyngeal swab for people — think all the way up your nose — and for the samples several hours on expensive machines in a laboratory. — Shari Rudavsky, Indianapolis Star, "How Indiana scientists are exploring vaccines, medicines and tests to defeat coronavirus," 6 May 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb The ferrule is fully machined, and the Anix Blade Locking System keeps the blades secure at all times. — Jace Bauserman, Field & Stream, "The Best New Broadheads from the 2020 Archery Trade Show," 9 Jan. 2020 Check out those wheels, looking like they were machined from a solid chunk of attitudinum. — Ezra Dyer, Car and Driver, "Tested: 2020 Genesis G90 Would Like Your Attention," 30 Mar. 2020 The gun is guaranteed sub-MOA with match ammunition, features in-house machined and matched upper and lower receivers. — John Haughey, Outdoor Life, "The Most Versatile Semi-Automatic Rifles," 10 Apr. 2019 The SRC-11—with upper and lower receivers machined from billet 7075-T6 aluminum—chambered in the 6.5 Grendel is ideally suited to big-game hunting. — Richard Mann, Field & Stream, "The 30 Best AR-Style Rifles for Hunting and Personal Defense," 17 Sep. 2019 The Geneva concept has a carbon-fiber center console machined from a solid block made from 280 individual layers of composite material, something that requires 90 hours on a five-axis milling machine. — Mike Duff, Car and Driver, "Aston Martin Shows Off Q Version of DBX," 24 Feb. 2020 The plant will be able to machine parts parts, weld and join parts and perform additive manufacturing, Pacheco said. — Lee Roop | Lroop@al.com, al, "Blue Origin will ‘rapidly move’ ahead at new Huntsville engine plant," 18 Feb. 2020 The ferrule is machined from grade-5 titanium with a precision-ground tip. — Jace Bauserman, Field & Stream, "The Best New Broadheads from the 2020 Archery Trade Show," 9 Jan. 2020 Also new, and totally cool, is Hoyt’s Integrate Mounting System, which is machined directly into the riser and allows compatible rests to be securely mounted perfectly flush and square. — The Editors, Field & Stream, "Best New Bows of the 2020 Archery Trade Show," 11 Jan. 2020

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