equipment

noun

equip·​ment i-ˈkwip-mənt 

1

a

: the set of articles or physical resources serving to equip a person or thing: such as

(1)

: the implements used in an operation or activity : apparatus

sports equipment

(2)

: all the fixed assets other than land and buildings of a business enterprise

(3)

: the rolling stock of a railway

b

: a piece of such equipment

2

a

: the equipping of a person or thing

b

: the state of being equipped

3

: mental or emotional traits or resources : endowment

Synonyms of equipment

• gear
• apparatus
• facilities
• stuff
• kit
• hardware
• material(s)

Examples of equipment in a Sentence

The photographer came early to set up his equipment.

I'm looking for a hobby that doesn't require a lot of fancy equipment.

an expensive piece of medical equipment

Not enough funds were provided for the equipment of the troops.

Recent Examples on the Web

This new approach works in real baseball environments and needs no reflective body markers, wearables or special equipment. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 15 Dec. 2025

Last week, a Vega Farms spokesperson confirmed with local news outlet KCRA3 that the company's processing equipment contaminated the roughly 1,515 dozen eggs, not the farm's flock of chickens. —Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 15 Dec. 2025

The proceeds will also be directed toward equipment upgrades and consumer goods trade-in programs. —Anniek Bao, CNBC, 15 Dec. 2025

Fiber coverage is limited to select neighborhoods, but where available, plans include unlimited data, no annual contracts and no equipment fees. —Roxanne Downer, USA Today, 15 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing equipment

• original equipment manufacturer
• personal protection equipment
• personal protective equipment
• re-equipment

Rhymes for equipment

• transhipment
• transshipment
• shipment

Kids Definition

equipment

noun

equip·​ment i-ˈkwip-mənt 

1

a

: the act of equipping a person or thing

b

: the state of being equipped

2

: the articles serving to equip a person or thing

Legal Definition

equipment

noun

equip·​ment

: the implements used in an operation or activity

specifically, in the Uniform Commercial Code : goods that are not inventory, farm products, or consumer goods

Note: This definition, found in Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code, applies to other Code articles as well.