machinery

noun

ma·​chin·​ery mə-ˈshē-nə-rē How to pronounce machinery (audio)
-ˈshēn-rē
plural machineries
Synonyms of machinerynext
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

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The New York Times reports that CEOs have been paralyzed by their inability to predict what the future would hold for their supply chain and the cost of bringing in goods, parts, and machinery into the U.S. — Nathan Goldman, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025 The deal will open up the U.K. market to American exports including ethanol, agriculture, and machinery and eliminate tariffs on steel and aluminum between the two countries. — Callum Sutherland, Time, 8 May 2025 In exchange, the U.K. will ease trade barriers targeting a set of products, including ethanol, beef and machinery, among other products, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick said. — Max Zahn, ABC News, 8 May 2025 Hercules also sells smaller coils to other companies that make products but don't have the kind of machinery needed to handle larger sheets of metal. DeRammelaere, who's been with Hercules for 17 years, said the company averages four deliveries a week from the steel mills. — Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 7 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for machinery

Word History

First Known Use

1731, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of machinery was in 1731

Rhymes for machinery

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Browse Nearby Words

machine room
machinery
machine screw
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Cite this Entry

“Machinery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/machinery. Accessed 15 May. 2025.

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Kids Definition

machinery

noun
ma·​chin·​ery mə-ˈshēn-(ə-)rē How to pronounce machinery (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on machinery

Nglish: Translation of machinery for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about machinery

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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