machinery

[muh-shee-nuh-ree]

noun

plural

machineries 

1. an assemblage of machines or mechanical apparatuses.

   the machinery of a factory.

2. the parts of a machine, collectively.

   the machinery of a watch.

3. a group of people or a system by which action is maintained or by which some result is obtained.

   the machinery of government.

   Synonyms: setup, structure, organization

4. a group of contrivances for producing stage effects.

5. the group or aggregate of literary machines, especially those of supernatural agency epic machinery in an epic poem.

machinery

/ məˈʃiːnərɪ /

noun

1. machines, machine parts, or machine systems collectively

2. a particular machine system or set of machines

3. a system similar to a machine

   the machinery of government

4. literary devices used for effect in epic poetry

Other Word Forms

• antimachinery adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of machinery¹

First recorded in 1680–90; machine + -ery

Example Sentences

That effort required the invention of new machinery and manufacturing systems, Paxton says.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Mr Haybourne says his team regularly carries out operations at the Port of Dover, to search for stolen cars, caravans, quad bikes, farm vehicles, diggers and other agricultural machinery.

Read more on BBC

An AFP photographer saw heavy machinery digging through landslides in Banjarnegara villages as rescue teams combed through the debris.

Read more on Barron's

The U.S. is a top destination for Swiss luxury watches, chocolates and machinery.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Also on Wednesday, October trade data and September machinery orders are slated for release.

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Related Words

• apparatus 
• appliance 
• engine 
• equipment 
• gear 
• instrument 
• motor 
• system 
• tool 
• utensil 
• vehicle