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 of machinery

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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.
That machinery has also expanded to match the way great collectors actually collect. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 5 Aug. 2026 Paired with a protein called folliculin, FNIP1 slows down cells’ calorie-burning machinery to conserve extra energy when food is plentiful. — Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 5 Aug. 2026 Posiva is currently running tests on machinery and operational systems across both the surface plant and the underground tunnels. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 5 Aug. 2026 In 2021, heavy rainfall triggered flooding that damaged about 100 of his durian trees and his machinery. — ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026 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 9 Aug. 2026.

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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

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