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Synonyms

machinist

American  
[muh-shee-nist] / məˈʃi nɪst /

noun

  • machinists
    plural
  1. a person who operates machinery, especially a skilled operator of machine tools.

  2. a person who makes or repairs machines.

  3. U.S. Navy. a warrant officer whose duty is to assist the engineering officer in the engine room.


machinist British  
/ məˈʃiːnɪst /

noun

  1. a person who operates machines to cut or process materials

  2. a maker or repairer of machines

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

Etymology

Origin of machinist

First recorded in 1700–10; machine + -ist

Vocabulary lists containing machinist

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

"I thought I would lay low for a while and seek new employment once the situation calms," said Musa Hashimi, who worked as a machinist in a textile factory.

From Barron's Jul. 3, 2026

The Air Force veteran and union machinist told Romero he was mulling a run for public office.

From Salon Feb. 3, 2026

Joe Kostka, 71, a retired machinist who paints the trail markers, lined up with his 42-year-old son Tim, who flew in from North Carolina.

From The Wall Street Journal Jun. 27, 2025

In its first decade of operation, Nila used American manufacturers for most parts, relying on a machinist in Temecula for the metal housing and a plant in North Carolina for the LEDs.

From Los Angeles Times Apr. 26, 2025

His parents had been sharecroppers who moved north and became a machinist and a nurse.

From "Class Matters" by The New York Times

In Durban's Chatsworth industrial area, a manager at a clothing factory said the departure of skilled machinists from Malawi and Mozambique had left factories struggling to meet orders.

From Barron's Jul. 26, 2026

The construction and installation of offshore wind turbines requires the expertise of skilled electrical workers, pipe fitters, welders, pile drivers, iron workers, machinists and carpenters.

From Salon May 9, 2026

Other blue-collar roles, such as machinists and assembly workers, meanwhile, will continue to be negatively impacted by broader trends like globalization and outsourcing, he said.

From MarketWatch Apr. 23, 2026

Sciortino estimates that there are 550,000 CNC machinists in Germany, compared with 350,000 in the whole of the US.

From BBC Apr. 20, 2026

Mr. Ferro’s machinists crowded around, braving the bitter wind.

From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam

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