machinery

noun

ma·​chin·​ery mə-ˈshē-nə-rē 

-ˈshēn-rē

plural machineries

1

a

: machines in general or as a functioning unit

b

: the working parts of a machine

2

: the means or system by which something is kept in action or a desired result is obtained

the machinery of government

Synonyms of machinery

• instrumentality
• vehicle
• instrument
• means
• agent
• mechanism
• organ

Examples of machinery in a Sentence

Some of the mill's machinery was damaged in the fire.

a piece of farm machinery

Something was clogging the machinery.

The United Nations has set up machinery for mediation.

Recent Examples on the Web

These investments, both in machinery and in the systems that supported them, opened the door to projects that required both capability and care. —Jason Phillips, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025

This tax incentive enables businesses to immediately deduct 100% of the cost of qualifying assets, such as machinery and vehicles, rather than spreading the deduction over several years. —Brittney Melton, NPR, 6 Nov. 2025

Tariffs on steel and aluminum (used in machinery) also make the cost of setting up a furniture factory in the United States higher, Miller said. —Adrienne Roberts, Freep.com, 6 Nov. 2025

Now, Beijing intends to replicate that success in semiconductors, advanced machinery, biotechnology and quantum computing. —Shaoyu Yuan, The Conversation, 5 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1731, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for machinery

• deanery
• greenery
• scenery
• turbomachinery

Kids Definition

machinery

noun

ma·​chin·​ery mə-ˈshēn-(ə-)rē 

plural machineries

1

: machines in general

2

: the working parts of a machine or instrument

3

: the organization or system by which something is done or carried on

machinery of government