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.
Crews have been clearing access for heavy machinery to be used in the search at the border crossing complex, which was washed away by the floods. — Shristi Kafle, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026 For example, consider a manufacturer that used several short-term loans to buy raw materials, purchase machinery and keep up with growing orders. — Joseph Lustberg, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026 Jäger compares the sounds of techno to the noise of Detroit’s industrial machinery—the music that drove the ersatz utopias of the late twentieth century is, in other words, merely a synthetic echo of a far more vital past. — Robert Rubsam, New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2026 Operators must evaluate the upfront capital investment required to purchase carbon capture machinery and install secure pipeline transport against daily output rates. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for machinery

Word History

Etymology

machine entry 1 + -ery

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 4 Sep. 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

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about machinery

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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