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

• agency
• agent
• instrument
• instrumentality
• means
• medium
• ministry
• organ
• vehicle

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

Also, these advanced manufacturers with expensive machinery are often big, profitable companies. —Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 17 June 2025

To carry out these plans, the administration has tapped into, and may yet expand, the American government’s vast surveillance machinery. —Andy Greenberg, Wired News, 16 June 2025

Think of medical diagnostics devices, manufacturing machinery and robotics, barcode scanners in warehouses, or delivery fleet telematics. —Georg Beyschlag, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025

After the wildcat ways of the nickelodeon period gave way to the assembly line machinery of the studio system, stunt people — out of a sense of professionalism not to say self-preservation — embraced their vocation as serious business. —Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 14 June 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