machinery definition

English

Etymology

From French machinerie (“machinery”), from machine (“machine”); see machine.

Pronunciation

• enPR: mə-shē'nə-rē, IPA^(key): /məˈʃiːnəɹi/
• Rhymes: -iːnəɹi

• Audio (US)

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Noun

machinery (countable and uncountable, plural machineries)

1. The machines constituting a production apparatus, in a plant etc., collectively.
2. The working parts of a machine as a group.
3. The collective parts of something which allow it to function.

   All of the machinery of the law was brought to bear on the investigation.

4. (figuratively) The literary devices used in a work, notably for dramatic effect

Derived terms

• heavy machinery
• political machinery

Related terms

• machinist

Translations

Further reading

• machinery in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• machinery in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.

Anagrams

• hemicrany