machinery

noun

ma·​chin·​ery mə-ˈshē-nə-rē How to pronounce machinery (audio)
-ˈshēn-rē
plural machineries
Synonyms of machinerynext
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

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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.
However, whether the Treasury or any other agency would be prepared to absorb the complex machinery of student loan servicing remains doubtful. — Shahar Ziv, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025 For hours, neighbors struggled to pull them out, thwarted by a lack of heavy machinery. — Matt Bradley, NBC News, 19 Mar. 2025 The fact that her uncle is dead sets the machinery of Zambian funeral traditions into motion, whether or not Shula is ready to mourn. — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 15 Mar. 2025 The lack of cement in the block could have happened because of a malfunction in the batching machinery that measures out the quantities of sand, small stone and cement. — Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 15 Mar. 2025 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

Rhymes for machinery

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Browse Nearby Words

machine room
machinery
machine screw
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Cite this Entry

“Machinery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/machinery. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.

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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

Nglish: Translation of machinery for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about machinery

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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