machine
muh-SHEEN
Machine (noun) means a device with moving parts that uses energy to perform a task. Example: “The washing machine shook so much that it moved across the kitchen floor.”
noun
1
A device with moving parts that uses energy to perform a task.
"The washing machine shook so much that it moved across the kitchen floor."
"Please do not put your fingers near the machine while it is running."
"The factory installed a new machine to package the products faster."
2
A vehicle, especially a car, motorcycle, or aircraft.
"The pilot praised the old machine for getting them home safely in the storm."
"Bikers gathered to admire the gleaming machine parked outside the café."
"He's proud of his new machine — a vintage motorbike he restored himself."
3
A computer.
"My machine is so slow that it takes minutes just to start up."
"Install the program on every machine in the office before Monday."
"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 sales team worked like a well-oiled machine during the busy festive season."
"The club's youth academy is a machine, producing talented players year after year."
"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.
"He machined the metal bar on a lathe until it fitted exactly."
"Each component is machined to within a tiny fraction of a millimetre."
"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
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Word forms
- Plural
- machines
- Third person singular
- machines
- Past tense
- machined
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The washing _____ shook so much that it moved across the kitchen floor.
Etymology
From Middle French machine, from Latin māchina ("device, contrivance"), from Greek māchanā, related to "mechanical."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for machine
See all rhymes for machine →Frequently asked questions
What does “machine” mean?
The word “machine” means a device with moving parts that uses energy to perform a task. In plain terms, a device that does mechanical work — or, by extension, a computer, a vehicle, or a highly efficient organization.
How do you pronounce “machine”?
“Machine” is pronounced muh-SHEEN (/məˈʃin/ in IPA).
How do you use “machine” in a sentence?
Here is “machine” used in a sentence: “The factory installed a new machine to package the products faster.”
What is another word for “machine”?
Words with a similar meaning to “machine” include engine.
What part of speech is “machine”?
Depending on how it is used, “machine” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “machine” come from?
The word “machine” comes from Latin. From Middle French machine, from Latin māchina ("device, contrivance"), from Greek māchanā, related to "mechanical.".
Is “machine” a common word?
“Machine” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “machine” have?
“Machine” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a device with moving parts that uses energy to perform a task.
What is the difference between a machine and a tool?
A tool is usually a simple object you operate by hand, like a hammer or screwdriver, with few or no moving parts. A machine is more complex: it has moving parts and draws on a power source — electricity, fuel, or muscle — to do work. Put simply, machines often power or automate what tools do by hand.
What are the six simple machines?
The six classic simple machines are the lever, the wheel and axle, the pulley, the inclined plane, the wedge, and the screw. Each changes the direction or amount of a force to make work easier. Complex machines, from bicycles to engines, are really combinations of these basic building blocks.
What is an example of a machine?
Everyday examples include a car engine, a washing machine, a drill, and a printer — all devices with moving parts powered by energy to perform a task. Even a simple bicycle counts, since it uses gears, wheels, and levers. Machines range from tiny mechanisms to enormous industrial equipment.
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