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.
Supplies ranged from heavy machinery to food, drinking water and satellite imagery. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 9 July 2026 Heat waves this year, for instance, have dried out vegetation that’s now fodder for fires started by a lightning strike, an errant spark from machinery or arson. — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 8 July 2026 Humans have no innate cognitive machinery designed to string letters into words and connect them to their real-world analogues. — Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026 Molecular machinery reads those instructions to make molecules. — Tara Deans, The Conversation, 8 July 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 10 Jul. 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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