noun
Common
apparatus
ap-uh-RAY-tuhs
Apparatus (noun) means a set of equipment or machinery used for a particular purpose. Example: “The divers checked their breathing apparatus carefully before they went into the water.”
noun
1
A set of equipment or machinery used for a particular purpose.
"The divers checked their breathing apparatus carefully before they went into the water."
"The lab was filled with strange apparatus for the chemistry experiment."
"Firefighters unloaded their apparatus from the truck."
2
A complex organizational or bureaucratic structure.
"The vast bureaucratic apparatus of the ministry made even small decisions take months."
"It takes a large administrative apparatus to run a big city's schools."
"The party's political apparatus controlled nearly every local election."
How to use apparatus
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither physical equipment for a task, or a large, often bureaucratic system that supports some activity.
Common pairings
scientific apparatus
state apparatus
party apparatus
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Word forms
- Plural
- apparatuses, apparatusses, apparati
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The divers checked their breathing _____ carefully before they went into the water.
Etymology
From Latin apparatus, "preparation, equipment," from ad- ("toward") plus parare ("to prepare").
Related words
Rhymes for apparatus
See all rhymes for apparatus →Frequently asked questions
What does “apparatus” mean?
The word “apparatus” means a set of equipment or machinery used for a particular purpose. In plain terms, either physical equipment for a task, or a large, often bureaucratic system that supports some activity.
How do you pronounce “apparatus”?
“Apparatus” is pronounced ap-uh-RAY-tuhs (/ˌæp.əˈɹeɪ.təs/ in IPA).
How do you use “apparatus” in a sentence?
Here is “apparatus” used in a sentence: “The lab was filled with strange apparatus for the chemistry experiment.”
What part of speech is “apparatus”?
“Apparatus” is a noun.
Where does the word “apparatus” come from?
The word “apparatus” comes from Latin. From Latin apparatus, "preparation, equipment," from ad- ("toward") plus parare ("to prepare").
Is “apparatus” a common word?
“Apparatus” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “apparatus” have?
“Apparatus” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a set of equipment or machinery used for a particular purpose.
What is the difference between "apparatus" and "equipment"?
"Equipment" is a general term for the tools or gear needed for an activity, while "apparatus" more specifically suggests a set of equipment or machinery assembled for a particular purpose, often technical or scientific, such as laboratory apparatus.
What does "apparatus" mean in a political or organizational context?
Beyond physical equipment, "apparatus" can refer to a complex organizational or bureaucratic structure, such as "the party apparatus" or "the state apparatus," describing the systems behind an institution rather than physical machines.
Is "apparatus" singular or plural?
"Apparatus" is normally treated as singular, as in "the apparatus is broken," and its plural can be either "apparatus" or "apparatuses" depending on style; both forms are considered acceptable in modern English.
