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

More than 50 specialists and 11 units of equipment are already involved in the response. —Billy Stockwell, CNN, 15 Dec. 2024

Some of the telecommunication equipment was shielded by a Faraday cage, a metal meshwork designed to deflect a nuclear electromagnetic pulse that can fry electronics. —Jack Randall, USA TODAY, 15 Dec. 2024

For nearly two years, Dr. Brendan Flynn, DO, and his phenomenal team, especially, Laura J., Lucy, Laura F., Lauren, Maria, and Leigh, et al, provided essential medical equipment, oxygen, hundreds of prescriptions, and guided us on every possible aspect of care for a dying loved one. —Fox News Staff, Fox News, 14 Dec. 2024

TechnipFMC, headquartered in London but operationally based in Houston, makes equipment for subsea fossil fuel extraction. —Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 13 Dec. 2024

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

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.