apparatus

[ap-uh-rat-uhs, -rey-tuhs]

noun

plural

apparatus, apparatuses 

1. a group or combination of instruments, machinery, tools, materials, etc., having a particular function or intended for a specific use.

   Our town has excellent fire-fighting apparatus.

2. any complex instrument or mechanism for a particular purpose.

   Synonyms: contrivance, contraption, device, appliance, machine

3. any system or systematic organization of activities, functions, processes, etc., directed toward a specific goal.

   the apparatus of government; espionage apparatus.

4. Physiology.,  a group of structurally different organs working together in the performance of a particular function.

   the digestive apparatus.

apparatus

/ ˌæpəˈreɪtəs, ˈæpəˌreɪtəs, -ˈrɑːtəs /

noun

1. a collection of instruments, machines, tools, parts, or other equipment used for a particular purpose

2. a machine having a specific function

   breathing apparatus

3. the means by which something operates; organization

   the apparatus of government

4. anatomy any group of organs having a specific function

Word History and Origins

Origin of apparatus¹

1620–30; < Latin apparātus equipment, originally the act of equipping, preparation, equivalent to apparā ( re ) to prepare ( ap- ap- ¹ + parāre; prepare ) + -tus suffix of v. action

Word History and Origins

Origin of apparatus¹

C17: from Latin, from apparāre to make ready

Example Sentences

He threw on a baby blue tie and brought the Belichick apparatus with him to North Carolina.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Much of America’s statistical apparatus was designed starting in the New Deal era for a largely goods-based U.S. economy, while statistical agencies have experienced little, if any growth in recent years.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Iran’s ruling mullahs will spend billions and sacrifice their economy to maintain their regional terror apparatus.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

As the nerve cells stop working, swallowing and breathing become more challenging and many people need feeding tubes or breathing apparatus to help them stay alive.

Read more on BBC

Even with a security apparatus as powerful as the U.S.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• appliance 
• device 
• gear 
• gizmo 
• machine 
• machinery 
• means 
• mechanism 

When To Use

Plural word for apparatus

The plural form of apparatus can be either apparatus or apparatuses. The appropriate plural form depends on whether the term is considered to be a mass (uncountable) noun (like air or rice) or a count noun (like apple or car). When used as a mass noun, the correct plural form is apparatus, as in The lab apparatus must be removed before the lab can be painted. When used as a count noun, the correct plural form is apparatuses, as in The ship is equipped with apparatuses for security, cargo loading, and more. The plurals of several other singular words that end in -s are also formed the same way, such as pass/passes, lotus/lotuses, and dress/dresses. In some nouns that end in -us that are derived from Latin, the irregular plural ending -i may be used instead, as in fungus/fungi or cactus/cacti. These nouns are considered irregular nouns.However, this ending is not valid for apparatus. Apparati would be an invalid plural for apparatus.