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

• 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

On Friday, Böcker, the German machinery company that made the lift entered the conversation, releasing a cheeky post featuring an ad across its social media pages. —NPR, 25 Oct. 2025

The second photo was noticeably different from the first, instead showing a recent image of heavy machinery smoothing gravel where lush green grass once grew. —Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025

Otis was among 24 metal fabrication and machinery manufacturing companies recognized. —Katherine Fung, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025

Their research shows that microbes and iron minerals can work together to strip toxic substances from soil efficiently and sustainably, without heavy machinery or harmful chemicals. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 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