equipment
ih-KWIHP-muhnt
Equipment (noun) means the tools, machinery, or gear needed for a particular activity or purpose. Example: “The school keeps its sports equipment locked in a cupboard beside the hall.”
noun
1
The tools, machinery, or gear needed for a particular activity or purpose.
"The school keeps its sports equipment locked in a cupboard beside the hall."
"The gym has state-of-the-art equipment for weight training."
"Make sure all camping equipment is packed before we leave."
How to use equipment
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe gear or tools needed to do a job or activity.
Common mistake
Equipment is uncountable — say "a piece of equipment," never "an equipment" or "equipments."
Common pairings
camping equipment
safety equipment
piece of equipment
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Word forms
- Plural
- equipments
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The school keeps its sports _____ locked in a cupboard beside the hall.
Etymology
From equip + -ment, or from French équipement.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for equipment
See all rhymes for equipment →Frequently asked questions
What does “equipment” mean?
The word “equipment” means the tools, machinery, or gear needed for a particular activity or purpose. In plain terms, the gear or tools needed to do a job or activity.
How do you pronounce “equipment”?
“Equipment” is pronounced ih-KWIHP-muhnt (/ɪˈkwɪpmənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “equipment” in a sentence?
Here is “equipment” used in a sentence: “The gym has state-of-the-art equipment for weight training.”
What is another word for “equipment”?
Words with a similar meaning to “equipment” include gear, kit, rigging, tackle and appurtenances.
What part of speech is “equipment”?
“Equipment” is a noun.
Is “equipment” a common word?
“Equipment” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between equipment and tools?
Tools are individual implements — a hammer, a wrench, a scalpel — usually handheld and used directly by a person. Equipment is the broader term for everything needed to carry out an activity, including tools but also machinery, instruments, and gear. All tools are equipment, but much equipment, such as a treadmill or a generator, would never be called a tool.
Is equipment countable or uncountable?
Equipment is uncountable, so it never takes a plural 's' — 'equipments' is incorrect. To count items, use a phrase such as 'a piece of equipment,' 'two pieces of equipment,' or 'a lot of equipment.' It always pairs with a singular verb: say 'the equipment is ready,' not 'the equipment are ready.'
What is an example of equipment?
A gym lists treadmills, dumbbells, and rowing machines as its equipment, while a kitchen's equipment includes ovens, mixers, and knives. The word covers whatever a task requires: cameras and lighting for a film shoot, or helmets, boots, and ropes for climbing. It refers to the gear collectively rather than to a single named object.
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