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

Five unions representing engineers, machinists and signal workers demand wage hikes to match New York’s soaring living costs after years without raises, clashing with MTA warnings of steep fare increases. —Philip Marcelo, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026

The coalition of unions representing roughly 3,500 LIRR engineers, signal workers, machinists and other workers has accused Lieber and MTA leadership of forcing a shutdown by refusing to agree to wage increases after years without raises amid rising living costs. —Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 18 May 2026

The unions, which represent locomotive engineers, machinists, signalmen and other train workers, have said more substantial raises were warranted to help workers keep up with inflation and rising living costs. —Philip Marcelo, Fortune, 16 May 2026

Her father worked as a machinist, and her mother was a homemaker. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 May 2026

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