apparatus
noun
ap·pa·ra·tus ˌa-pə-ˈra-təs 
-ˈrā-
-ˈrā- plural apparatuses or apparatus
1
a
: a set of materials or equipment designed for a particular use
b
: a group of anatomical or cytological parts functioning together
mitotic apparatus
c
: an instrument or appliance designed for a specific operation
an apparatus for measuring vision
2
: the functional processes by means of which a systematized activity is carried out
the apparatus of society
: such as a
: the machinery of government
b
: the organization of a political party or an underground movement
Synonyms
- accoutrements
- accouterments
- equipment
- gear
- hardware
- kit [chiefly British]
- material(s)
- matériel
- materiel
- outfit
- paraphernalia
- stuff
- tackle
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web The patient would then be tethered to an external pumping apparatus for a period of time. 
Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 June 2022 Who has access to this supposedly egalitarian apparatus? Kamayani Sharma, Quartz, 12 Apr. 2022 These included, but not limited to, two-way tablets and motion-detector wrist apparatus, according to Safe in Home representative Kristin Wallace. Sue Ellen Ross, chicagotribune.com, 8 Apr. 2022 Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy look-alikes were decked in floor-length green, purple, and red dresses and cloaks before being harnessed to a cable apparatus for aerial stunts over the Walgreens on Atwells Avenue. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 13 Dec. 2021 All of this illustrates the extreme caution that must be exercised before making changes to the voice apparatus. Guillaume Jacquemont, Scientific American, 1 Nov. 2021 China’s industry is effectively nationalized under Xi Jinping, so parallels to any U.S. regulatory apparatus are moot. Kevin T. Dugan, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2021 Americans are habitually unattuned to the massive and profoundly human apparatus that brings us basically everything in our lives. Amanda Mull, The Atlantic, 21 Sep. 2021 Blind Landing runs this set of ideas through its reading of why Allana Slater — who, again, was the 19th person to step up to the vault apparatus in competition — turned out to be the one who spoke up and who was ultimately heard. Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 5 Aug. 2021 See More
Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 June 2022 Who has access to this supposedly egalitarian apparatus? Kamayani Sharma, Quartz, 12 Apr. 2022 These included, but not limited to, two-way tablets and motion-detector wrist apparatus, according to Safe in Home representative Kristin Wallace. Sue Ellen Ross, chicagotribune.com, 8 Apr. 2022 Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy look-alikes were decked in floor-length green, purple, and red dresses and cloaks before being harnessed to a cable apparatus for aerial stunts over the Walgreens on Atwells Avenue. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 13 Dec. 2021 All of this illustrates the extreme caution that must be exercised before making changes to the voice apparatus. Guillaume Jacquemont, Scientific American, 1 Nov. 2021 China’s industry is effectively nationalized under Xi Jinping, so parallels to any U.S. regulatory apparatus are moot. Kevin T. Dugan, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2021 Americans are habitually unattuned to the massive and profoundly human apparatus that brings us basically everything in our lives. Amanda Mull, The Atlantic, 21 Sep. 2021 Blind Landing runs this set of ideas through its reading of why Allana Slater — who, again, was the 19th person to step up to the vault apparatus in competition — turned out to be the one who spoke up and who was ultimately heard. Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 5 Aug. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
borrowed from Latin apparātus "act of preparing, display, trappings, equipment," from apparāre "to make ready, make preparations for" (from ad- ad- + parāre "to supply, provide, make ready") + -tus, suffix of verbal nouns — more at pare
First Known Use
circa 1628, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing apparatus
Kids Definition
apparatus
noun
ap·pa·ra·tus ˌa-pə-ˈra-təs
-ˈrā-
plural apparatuses or apparatus
: the equipment or material for a particular use or job
gymnasium apparatus
laboratory apparatus
Medical Definition
apparatus
noun
ap·pa·ra·tus ˌap-ə-ˈrat-əs -ˈrāt-
-ˈrāt- plural apparatuses or apparatus
: a group of anatomical and cytological parts having a common function
the respiratory apparatus
see golgi apparatus apparatus
noun
as in equipment
items needed for the performance of a task or activity the hospital's operating rooms boast the very latest medical apparatus Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- equipment
- gear
- kit
- material(s)
- facilities
- hardware
- machinery
- stuff
- matériel
- materiel
- paraphernalia
- accoutrements
- instruments
- tools
- accouterments
- tackle
- resources
- fittings
- appurtenances
- accessories
- baggage
- impedimenta
- outfit
- battery
- appliances
- attachments
- apparel
- arsenal
- belongings
- assets
- trappings
- attire
- armory
- armamentarium
- raiment
- habiliments
- measuring pitcher
- measuring tape
- measuring up
- measuring up (to)
- measuring up to
- measuring wheel
- measuring worm
- measurings
- meat
- meat ant
- meat by-product
- meat chopper
- meat fly
- meat glue
- meat grinder
- meat hawk
- meat house
- meat loaf
- meat market
- meat meal
- meat offering
- meat safe
- meat scrap
- meat spot
- meat tea