apparatus
noun
ap·pa·ra·tus
ˌa-pə-ˈra-təs 
-ˈrā-
-ˈrā-
plural apparatuses or apparatus
1
a
: a set of materials or equipment designed for a particular use
b
: a group of anatomical or cytological parts functioning together
mitotic apparatus
c
: an instrument or appliance designed for a specific operation
an apparatus for measuring vision
2
: the functional processes by means of which a systematized activity is carried out
the apparatus of society
: such as
a
: the machinery of government
b
: the organization of a political party or an underground movement
Synonyms
Examples of apparatus in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Kevin Skinner, a 56-year-old fire apparatus engineer from Fallbrook, fell ill shortly before 5 a.m.
—
Mona Darwish, Orange County Register, 5 Jan. 2025
Alabama, which many members of the SEC media apparatus argued should have gotten in, lost this week to Michigan.
—Seth Emerson, The Athletic, 3 Jan. 2025
The Israeli military claimed an airstrike launched early on Thursday morning killed a senior member of Hamas' internal security apparatus.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Jan. 2025
Moises’s photographs catalogue the workings of a vast state-security apparatus: a cutting tool used to torment prisoners; the fastidious filing systems of the torturers.
—Jon Lee Anderson, The New Yorker, 30 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for apparatus 
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Mona Darwish, Orange County Register, 5 Jan. 2025
Alabama, which many members of the SEC media apparatus argued should have gotten in, lost this week to Michigan.
—Seth Emerson, The Athletic, 3 Jan. 2025
The Israeli military claimed an airstrike launched early on Thursday morning killed a senior member of Hamas' internal security apparatus.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Jan. 2025
Moises’s photographs catalogue the workings of a vast state-security apparatus: a cutting tool used to torment prisoners; the fastidious filing systems of the torturers.
—Jon Lee Anderson, The New Yorker, 30 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for apparatus
Dictionary Entries Near apparatus
Cite this Entry
“Apparatus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apparatus. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
apparatus
noun
ap·pa·ra·tus
ˌap-ə-ˈrat-əs
-ˈrāt-
-ˈrāt-
plural apparatuses or apparatus
1
: the equipment or material for a particular use or job
laboratory apparatus
2
: a complicated instrument or device
Medical Definition
apparatus
noun
ap·pa·ra·tus
ˌap-ə-ˈrat-əs
-ˈrāt-
-ˈrāt-
plural apparatuses or apparatus
: a group of anatomical and cytological parts having a common function
the respiratory apparatus
see golgi apparatus
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