machinist

noun

ma·​chin·​ist mə-ˈshē-nist 

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

In practice, though, the production rate fell well below the ceiling last year as the company contended with investigations and a machinists’ strike that idled factories for almost eight weeks. —Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025

Our economy depends on plumbers, electricians, welders, machinists, and other skilled trades. —Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Oct. 2025

Skilled trades professions such as computer numerical control machinists, are also considered safe, as are drone operators and first responders, which are jobs that involve complex problem-solving in unpredictable physical environments and that require manual dexterity, Sebasco said. —Francine Knowles, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2025

Plants ran shorthanded constantly; one missing machinist could idle a multimillion-dollar production line for weeks. —Dasha Shunina, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1706, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for machinist

• alienist
• hygienist
• cleanest
• greenest
• keenest
• meanest

Kids Definition

machinist

noun

ma·​chin·​ist mə-ˈshē-nəst 

: a person who makes or works on machines and engines