apparatus

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

noun

, plural ap·pa·rat·us, ap·pa·rat·us·es.

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

/ -ˈrɑːtəs; ˈæpəˌreɪtəs; ˌæpəˈreɪtəs /

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

The scenarios laid out by the Transition Integrity Project and Foley shouldn’t be taken as definite outcomes, but they do make clear that the rickety apparatus governing our electoral process could collapse if key actors decide to push against it.

From FiveThirtyEight

The increase in Hong Kong’s oppressive policies under the new national security law has created fear that the universal testing scheme is just another apparatus of state control.

From Fortune

Endorsing fewer candidates is part of a longer-term approach as the group’s political apparatus has grown more sophisticated.

From FiveThirtyEight

Studies have shown that it’s easy to identify riders using this information, providing the city government with a massive surveillance apparatus.

From Washington Blade

He set up the apparatus in his woodshop and filmed himself coughing without and with a mask.

From Science News

The way academics still publish papers on whether you possess the necessary mental apparatus to function in a civil democracy.

From The Daily Beast

After failing to secure the nomination, he eventually suspended his campaign—but he did not suspend his political apparatus.

From The Daily Beast

But providing an objective picture is not what the Kremlin and its media apparatus is known for.

From The Daily Beast

Safety officials believe it snapped, sending both acrobats and apparatus hurtling 25 to 40 feet to the floor.

From The Daily Beast

He also opted to use “his eyes” as his only light measuring apparatus, something Nel quickly dismissed as “subjective.”

From The Daily Beast

“The sepoys have come in from Meerut,” he announced with the slow tick of the earliest form of apparatus.

From Project Gutenberg

While the test is somewhat tedious, all the manipulations are simple and require no apparatus but flasks, test-tubes, and funnels.

From Project Gutenberg

Hydrogen sulphid is easily prepared in the simple apparatus shown in Fig. 30.

From Project Gutenberg

The endless miles of railways, the vast apparatus of the factories, the soaring structures of the cities bear easy witness to it.

From Project Gutenberg

As all parts of this apparatus are of metal changes in humidity or temperature do not affect its regulation.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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

What Is The Plural Of Apparatus?

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.