machinist

noun

ma·​chin·​ist mə-ˈshē-nist How to pronounce machinist (audio)
1
a
: a worker who fabricates, assembles, or repairs machinery
b
: a craftsman skilled in the use of machine tools
c
: one who operates a machine
2
archaic : a person in charge of the mechanical aspects of a theatrical production
3
: a warrant officer who supervises machinery and engine operation

Examples of machinist in a Sentence

He is a machinist at the factory.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
During the industrial revolutions, manual laborers didn’t seamlessly become machinists or engineers. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025 Our machinists are going to sell a lot of equipment overseas. David Goldman, CNN Money, 11 June 2025 The aerospace company also experienced a halt in most of its aircraft production when Boeing machinists went on a seven-week strike later in the year. Sean Conlon, CNBC, 18 Feb. 2025 All in, average wages were set to rise to approximately $100,000 per year for a machinist, according to Jeffries. Jerrold Lundquist, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for machinist

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1706, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of machinist was circa 1706

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Machinist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/machinist. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

machinist

noun
ma·​chin·​ist mə-ˈshē-nəst How to pronounce machinist (audio)
: a person who makes or works on machines and engines

More from Merriam-Webster on machinist

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