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

• accoutrements
• accouterments
• apparatus
• gear
• hardware
• kit [chiefly British]
• material(s)
• matériel
• materiel
• outfit
• paraphernalia
• stuff
• tackle

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

Hyundai Rotem specializes in producing railway equipment and defense products. —Amala Balakrishner, CNBC, 4 Mar. 2025

Meanwhile, household appliances, communication equipment, and forest industry were among the worst-performing subsectors. —Brendan Ahern, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025

Rehabilitating the town’s fire station and apparatus bays, which would include structural updates, enhancing equipment and securing storage for fire rescue vehicles. —Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 3 Mar. 2025

The Progress also has equipment and hardware to support Roscosmos science experiments. —Robert Z. Pearlman, Space.com, 1 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1651, 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.