equipment

American  

[ih-kwip-muhnt] / ɪˈkwɪp mənt /

noun

1. anything kept, furnished, or provided for a specific purpose.

   Synonyms:

   accouterment, paraphernalia, apparatus

2. the act of equipping a person or thing.

3. the state of being equipped.

4. the personal knowledge and skill required for a task, occupation, etc..

   He has the necessary equipment for law.

5. the rolling stock of a railroad.

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equipment British  

/ ɪˈkwɪpmənt /

noun

1. an act or instance of equipping

2. the items so provided

3. a set of tools, devices, kit, etc, assembled for a specific purpose, such as a soldier's kit and weapons

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Other Word Forms

• preequipment noun
• reequipment noun

Etymology

Origin of equipment

First recorded in 1710–20; equip + -ment

Example Sentences

The astronauts must adhere to a sleep routine to ensure they're rested for the mission that will see them slingshot around the Moon and conduct a battery of test maneuvers, equipment checks and scientific observations.

From Barron's • Apr. 4, 2026

Curbside, for instance, has begun training gig workers in how to do quick vehicle fixes that don’t require a tow truck or advanced equipment.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

Koch, for instance, sleeps "suspended like a bat" while Glover fits himself into a narrow nook between space equipment and the ceiling of the spacecraft.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

Aehr Test Systems shares spiked this week, ending two consecutive weekly declines, with the semiconductor equipment maker scheduled to report fiscal 2026 third-quarter earnings after the closing bell Tuesday.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

The light from the television offers enough visibility for me to see the stacks of boxes, the old sports equipment, and the antique furniture that is stored in the Choi basement.

From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer

Related Words

• apparatus
• furnishings
• furniture
• machinery
• material