noun
machine
muh-SHEEN
noun
1
A device with moving parts that uses energy to perform a task.
"The factory installed a new machine to package the products faster."
2
A vehicle, especially a car, motorcycle, or aircraft.
"He's proud of his new machine — a vintage motorbike he restored himself."
3
A computer.
"Save the file to the shared drive so anyone can open it from any machine."
4
A person or group that operates with impressive, almost mechanical efficiency, especially in politics.
"The candidate had the full support of the local party machine."
verb
1
To shape or cut a material to precise dimensions using powered tools.
"The parts are machined from solid aluminum blocks."
How to Use Machine
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA device that does mechanical work — or, by extension, a computer, a vehicle, or a highly efficient organization.
Common pairings
operate a machine
machine parts
political machine
machine something to spec
Word Forms
machined past tense, machines plural, machines singular
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Etymology
From Middle French machine, from Latin māchina ("device, contrivance"), from Greek māchanā, related to "mechanical."