Machine (noun) Definition, Meaning & Examples

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noun
  1. an apparatus consisting of interrelated parts with separate functions, used in the performance of some kind of work: a sewing machine.
  2. a mechanical apparatus or contrivance; mechanism.
  3. Mechanics.
    • a device that transmits or modifies force or motion.
    • any of six or more elementary mechanisms, as the lever, wheel and axle, pulley, screw, wedge, and inclined plane.
    • a combination of simple machines.
  4. Older Use.
    • an automobile or airplane.
    • a typewriter.
  5. a bicycle or motorcycle.
  6. a vending machine: a cigarette machine.
  7. any complex agency or operating system: the machine of government.
  8. an organized group of persons that conducts or controls the activities of a political party or organization: He heads the Democratic machine in our city.
  9. a person or thing that acts in a mechanical or automatic manner: Routine work had turned her into a machine.
  10. any of various contrivances, especially those formerly used in the theater, for producing stage effects: The ancient Greeks used a theatrical machine to lower actors onto the stage.
  11. some agency, personage, incident or other feature introduced for effect into a literary composition.
verb (used with object), ma·chined, ma·chin·ing.
  1. to make, prepare, or finish with a machine or with machine tools.
noun
  1. an assembly of interconnected components arranged to transmit or modify force in order to perform useful work
  2. a device for altering the magnitude or direction of a force, esp a lever, screw, wedge, or pulley
  3. a mechanically operated device or means of transport, such as a car, aircraft, etc
  4. any mechanical or electrical device that automatically performs tasks or assists in performing tasks
    • denoting a firearm that is fully automatic as distinguished from semiautomatic
    • (in combination)
  6. any intricate structure or agency
  7. a mechanically efficient, rigid, or obedient person
  8. an organized body of people that controls activities, policies, etc
  9. (esp in the classical theatre) a device such as a pulley to provide spectacular entrances and exits for supernatural characters
  10. an event, etc, introduced into a literary work for special effect
verb
  1. to shape, cut, or remove (excess material) from (a workpiece) using a machine tool
  2. to use a machine to carry out a process on (something)
    Machine (noun) Definition, Meaning & Examples

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