Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense machines, present participle machining, past tense, past participle machined
1. countable noun [oft byNOUN]
A machine is a piece of equipment which uses electricity or an engine in order to do a particular kind of work.
I put the coin in the machine and pulled the lever.
The machine can be remotely operated and monitored.
...a color photograph of the sort taken by machine to be pasted in passports.
Synonyms: appliance, device, apparatus, engine [obsolete] More Synonyms of machine
2. verb [usually passive]
If you machine something, you make it or work on it using a machine.
The material is machined in a factory. [beVERB-ed]
All parts are machined from top grade, high tensile aluminium. [beVERB-ed + from]
...machined brass zinc alloy gears. [VERB-ed]
machininguncountable noun
...our machining, fabrication and finishing processes.
3. countable noun
You can use machine to refer to a large and well-controlled system or organization.
...Nazi Germany's military machine.
He has put the party publicity machine behind another candidate.
Synonyms: system, agency, structure, organization More Synonyms of machine
4. countable noun
If you say that someone is a machine, you mean that they are so tired or bored that they do their work without thinking.
I think I have got to stop or I might turn into a machine.
He has dedicated himself to his work and become just a writing machine.
5. See also fruit machine, sewing machine, slot machine, vending machine
machine in British English
(məˈʃiːn)
noun
1.
an assembly of interconnected components arranged to transmit or modify force in order to perform useful work
2. Also called: simple machine
a device for altering the magnitude or direction of a force, esp a lever, screw, wedge, or pulley
3.
a mechanically operated device or means of transport, such as a car, aircraft, etc
4.
any mechanical or electrical device that automatically performs tasks or assists in performing tasks
5.
a. (modifier)
denoting a firearm that is fully automatic as distinguished from semiautomatic
b.
(in combination)
machine pistol
machine gun
6.
any intricate structure or agency
the war machine
7.
a mechanically efficient, rigid, or obedient person
8.
an organized body of people that controls activities, policies, etc
9.
(esp in the classical theatre) a device such as a pulley to provide spectacular entrances and exits for supernatural characters
10.
an event, etc, introduced into a literary work for special effect
verb
11. (transitive)
to shape, cut, or remove (excess material) from (a workpiece) using a machine tool
12.
to use a machine to carry out a process on (something)
Derived forms
machinable (maˈchinable) or machineable (maˈchineable)
adjective
machinability (maˌchinaˈbility)
noun
machineless (maˈchineless)
adjective
machine-like (maˈchine-ˌlike)
adjective
Word origin
C16: via French from Latin māchina machine, engine, from Doric Greek makhana pulley; related to makhos device, contrivance
machine in American English
(məˈʃin)
noun
1. Rare
a structure or built-up fabric of any kind
2. OLD-FASHIONED
a vehicle, as an automobile, bicycle, etc.
3.
a.
a structure consisting of a framework and various fixed and moving parts, for doing some kind of work; mechanism
a sewing machine
b.
any device thought of as functioning in such a way, as as electronic computer ora device for automatically answering telephone calls
4.
a.
a person or organization regarded as acting like a machine, without thought or will
b.
a complex organization coordinated to function in a smooth, effective way
the military machine
5. US
a.
the members of a political party or group who control policy and confer patronage
b.
the party organization generally
6.
a device or apparatus, as in the ancient theater, for producing stage effects
7. Archaic
a literary device for dramatic effect, as a supernatural agent or force introduced into a poem
8. Mechanics
a device, as a lever or pulley, that transmits, or changes the application of, energy
adjective
9.
of or for a machine or machines
10.
made or done by machinery
11.
standardized; stereotyped
verb transitiveWord forms: maˈchined or maˈchining
12.
to make, shape, finish, etc. by machinery
Derived forms
machinable (maˈchinable)
adjective
Word origin
Fr < L machina < Gr mēchanē, a machine, engine < mēchos, a contrivance < IE base *magh-, to be able, help > may1, might1
machine in Mechanical Engineering
(məʃin)
Word forms: (present) machines, (past) machined, (perfect) machined, (progressive) machining
verb
(Mechanical engineering: Manufacturing and assembly)
If you machine a workpiece, you shape it, cut it, or remove material from it using a machine tool.
Grinding is the most expensive way of machining metal.
On this model the ram can get very close to the workpiece, which is an advantagewhen machining very thin workpieces.
If you machine a workpiece, you shape it, cut it, or remove material from it using a machine tool.
machinability, machine tool, machining
Examples of 'machine' in a sentence
machine
Do you put your washing machine on overnight?
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
As long as you are not using machine tools it is not likely to hurt you.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They record the card details of the unknown person who uses that machine.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They always seem empty and most people just seem to use the cash machine.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The owners of the computers are likely to be unaware that their machines are being used with others to help commit cybercrime.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The use of self-service machines has tripled in a decade.
The Sun (2016)
It's a very fast, efficient machine.
The Sun (2016)
We built it at our workshop in California, where we have all the necessary machine tools.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
So if you want a happy and less stressful life in 2017, put your coffee machine in the bin and go back to a kettle.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
We are apparently only decades away from evolving into astonishing hybrids of body and machine.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
This machine can be used to exercise one leg at a time.
Lycholat, Tony Shape Your Body, Shape Your Life (1987)
Its activists have constructed a slick publicity and campaigning machine.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Forget the mowing machine just the other side of the fence.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Success will help to transform the interface between people and machines.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
There is no sense of a design for life in the reliable processing of a machine.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Machines are the tools of the system.
Tom Cannon Basic Marketing. Principles and Practice (1986)
We also had to face unpredictable things like machines not working properly.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Spinning had now become almost entirely a machine and factory activity.
Bryant, Arthur The Search for Justice - a history of Britain and the British people Volume III (1990)
The company is considering whether to replace these machines with newer equipment.
Charles A. D'Ambrosio & Stewart D. Hodges & Richard Brealey & Stewart Myers Principles of Corporate Finance (1991)
You can also tell the washing machine to put a wash on when you are out.
The Sun (2014)
To make the military machine less reliant on fossil fuels.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The machine that staff use to swipe your card could be a skimming device.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Our efficient machines which promised to give us more leisure time have only increased our expectations and anxiety about being more productive.
Christianity Today (2000)
The machine crushed my body, ripped my clothes to shreds and spat me out.
The Sun (2011)
Its manufacturers said that the radiation emitted by the machine mean it could not yet be used while passengers were sitting in the aircraft.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
He said full body scanners will be installed at all airports as well as advanced X-ray machines and devices to detect explosives.
The Sun (2010)
I had left the machine's engine running.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Iron was increasingly in demand for the manufacture of steam engines and machine tools; machine tool production itself became a significant feature of the English economy.
Sanderson, Stephen K. Macrosociology: An Introduction to Human Societies (1995)
Quotations
Machines are worshipped because they are beautiful and valued because they confer power; they are hated because they are hideous and loathed because they impose slaveryBertrand RussellSceptical Essays: Machines and the Emotions
In other languages
machine
British English: machine /məˈʃiːn/ NOUN
A machine is a piece of equipment which uses electricity or an engine in order to do a particular kind of work.
The machine was switched off.
American English: machine
Arabic: مَاكِينَةٌ
Brazilian Portuguese: máquina
Chinese: 机器
Croatian: stroj
Czech: stroj
Danish: maskine
Dutch: machine
European Spanish: máquina
Finnish: kone
French: machine
German: Maschine
Greek: μηχανή
Italian: macchina
Japanese: 機械
Korean: 기계
Norwegian: maskin
Polish: maszyna
European Portuguese: máquina
Romanian: mașină
Russian: машина
Latin American Spanish: máquina
Swedish: maskin
Thai: เครื่องจักร
Turkish: makine
Ukrainian: пристрій
Vietnamese: máy móc
British English: machine VERB
If you machine something, you make it or work on it using a machine.
The material is machined in a factory.
American English: machine
Brazilian Portuguese: costurar à máquina
Chinese: 用机器制造/加工
European Spanish: trabajar a máquina
French: usiner
German: maschinell herstellen
Italian: fare a macchina
Japanese: 機械で作る
Korean: 기계로 가공하다
European Portuguese: costurar à máquina
Latin American Spanish: trabajar a máquina
Chinese translation of 'machine'
machine
(məˈʃiːn)
n(c)
机(機)器 (jīqì) (台, tái)
(= system)[party, war, propaganda]机(機)构(構) (jīgòu)
an assembly of components arranged so as to perform a particular task and usually powered by electricity
I put a coin in the machine and pulled the lever.
Synonyms
appliance
We need to replace the washing machine and some other household appliances.
device
This device can measure minute quantities of matter.
apparatus
He was rescued by firefighters wearing breathing apparatus.
engine (obsolete)
Computers and telecommunications are the engines of change.
tool
The best tool for the purpose is a pair of shears.
instrument
a thin tube-like optical instrument
mechanism
The heat-producing mechanism will switch itself on automatically.
gadget
a handy gadget for slicing vegetables
contraption (informal)
an interesting musical contraption called a Theremin
gizmo (informal)
contrivance
They wear simple clothes and shun modern contrivances.
2 (noun)
Definition
a system within an organization that controls activities and policies
He has put the party publicity machine behind another candidate.
Synonyms
system
a multi-party system of government
agency
a successful advertising agency
structure
The chemical structure of this particular molecule is very unusual.
organization
the internal organization of the department
machinery
the government machinery and administrative procedures
setup (informal)
I gradually got rather disillusioned with the whole setup.
Quotation
Machines are worshipped because they are beautiful and valued because they confer power; they are hated because they are hideous and loathed because they impose slavery [Bertrand Russell – Sceptical Essays: Machines and the Emotions]
Additional synonyms
in the sense of agency
Definition
an organization providing a specific service
a successful advertising agency
Synonyms
business,
company,
office,
firm,
department,
organization,
enterprise,
establishment,
bureau
in the sense of apparatus
Definition
a collection of equipment used for a particular purpose
He was rescued by firefighters wearing breathing apparatus.
Synonyms
equipment,
machine,
tackle,
gear,
means,
materials,
device,
tools,
implements,
mechanism,
outfit,
machinery,
appliance,
utensils,
contraption (informal)
in the sense of contraption
Definition
a strange-looking device or gadget
an interesting musical contraption called a Theremin
Synonyms
device,
instrument,
mechanism,
apparatus,
gadget,
contrivance,
waldo,
rig
Synonyms of 'machine'
machine
Explore 'machine' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of contrivance
Definition
the act or power of contriving
They wear simple clothes and shun modern contrivances.
Synonyms
device,
machine,
equipment,
gear,
instrument,
implement,
mechanism,
invention,
appliance,
apparatus,
gadget,
contraption (informal)
in the sense of device
Definition
a machine or tool used for a particular purpose
This device can measure minute quantities of matter.
Synonyms
gadget,
machine,
tool,
instrument,
implement,
invention,
appliance,
apparatus,
gimmick,
utensil,
contraption (informal),
widget (informal),
contrivance,
waldo,
gizmo or gismo (slang)
in the sense of engine
Computers and telecommunications are the engines of change.
Synonyms
device,
means,
agency (old-fashioned),
weapon,
agent,
tool,
instrument,
implement,
appliance,
apparatus,
contrivance
in the sense of gadget
Definition
a small mechanical device or appliance
a handy gadget for slicing vegetables
Synonyms
device,
thing,
appliance,
machine,
tool,
implement,
invention,
instrument,
novelty,
apparatus,
gimmick,
utensil,
contraption (informal),
gizmo (slang),
contrivance,
waldo
in the sense of instrument
Definition
a tool or implement, esp. one used for precision work
a thin tube-like optical instrument
Synonyms
tool,
device,
implement,
mechanism,
appliance,
apparatus,
gadget,
utensil,
contraption (informal),
contrivance,
waldo
in the sense of machinery
Definition
the organization and procedures by which a system functions
the government machinery and administrative procedures
Synonyms
administration,
system,
organization,
agency,
machine,
structure,
channels,
procedure
in the sense of mechanism
Definition
a system of moving parts that performs some function, esp. in a machine
The heat-producing mechanism will switch itself on automatically.
Synonyms
machine,
system,
structure,
device,
tool,
instrument,
appliance,
apparatus,
contrivance
in the sense of organization
Definition
the state of being organized
the internal organization of the department
Synonyms
structure,
grouping,
plan,
system,
form,
design,
method,
pattern,
make-up,
arrangement,
construction,
constitution,
format,
formation,
framework,
composition,
chemistry,
configuration,
conformation,
interrelation of parts
in the sense of setup
Definition
the way in which anything is organized or arranged
I gradually got rather disillusioned with the whole setup.
Synonyms
arrangement,
system,
structure,
organization,
conditions,
circumstances,
regime
in the sense of structure
Definition
the way the individual parts of something are made, built, or organized into a whole
The chemical structure of this particular molecule is very unusual.
Synonyms
arrangement,
form,
make-up,
make,
design,
organization,
construction,
fabric,
formation,
configuration,
conformation,
interrelation of parts
Additional synonyms
in the sense of tool
Definition
an implement, such as a hammer, saw, or spade, that is used by hand to help do a particular type of work
The best tool for the purpose is a pair of shears.