machinery

noun

ma·​chin·​ery mə-ˈshē-nə-rē 

-ˈshēn-rē

plural machineries

1

a

: machines in general or as a functioning unit

b

: the working parts of a machine

2

: the means or system by which something is kept in action or a desired result is obtained

the machinery of government

Synonyms of machinery

• instrumentality
• vehicle
• instrument
• means
• agent
• mechanism
• organ

Examples of machinery in a Sentence

Some of the mill's machinery was damaged in the fire.

a piece of farm machinery

Something was clogging the machinery.

The United Nations has set up machinery for mediation.

Recent Examples on the Web

Power distribution is observed during propulsion operations, with auxiliary machinery and onboard systems running simultaneously. —Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 29 Apr. 2026

Such leaders know the machinery from the inside and have had a hand in building the systems that now need to scale and adapt to what’s next. —Ruth Umoh, Fortune, 27 Apr. 2026

Proteins are the working machinery of life. —Gerald Bradshaw, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026

Part of that includes 'cutting the pond' using machinery to dig through the sand and allow water to flow in and out. —Jacob Wycoff, CBS News, 25 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1731, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for machinery

• deanery
• greenery
• scenery
• turbomachinery

Kids Definition

machinery

noun

ma·​chin·​ery mə-ˈshēn-(ə-)rē 

plural machineries

1

: machines in general

2

: the working parts of a machine or instrument

3

: the organization or system by which something is done or carried on

machinery of government