machinery

noun

ma·​chin·​ery mə-ˈshē-nə-rē How to pronounce machinery (audio)
-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

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.
Their windows and tools in their garage often vibrate with the hum of machinery at the nearby well pad. Sean Keane, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2024 The top-performing subsectors were base metals, marine industry, and construction machinery. Brendan Ahern, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024 That fight demands mounds of smart, cheap machinery. Colin Demarest, Axios, 30 Oct. 2024 Attendees were given tours of the facility’s training areas, where machinery sat in neat rows under bright lights. Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near machinery

Cite this Entry

“Machinery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/machinery. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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

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