machines

IPA/ˌeɪ.tiːˈem/
KK[məʃˈinz]IPA/ˌeɪ.tiːˈem/

machines — noun

  • machinessingular
  • machinesesplural

1. pieces of equipment with moving parts that use power to do particular jobs.

1.nounA2
Definition

pieces of equipment with moving parts that use power to do particular jobs.

Example

The factory replaced three old machines with quieter ones last winter.

number + machines for industrial equipment

Soraya checks the bakery machines before the first customers arrive.

machines for a specific workplace task

Common collocations
  • factory machines
  • farm machines
  • exercise machines
  • sewing machines
Synonyms
  • devices

    broader; can include simple electronic things with few moving parts

  • equipment

    collective word for tools and machines taken as a set

  • appliances

    usually home machines such as cookers or washing machines

Grammar Patterns

machines + plural verb

number + machines

machines for + job

Usage Note

Often modified by the kind of work they do, as in 'sewing machines', 'farm machines', or 'exercise machines'. Distinguish from sense 2: there the word means computers rather than powered equipment in general.

Common Mistakes

These machine is too old.
These machines are too old.
the plural noun needs both the -s ending and a plural verb.

2. computers, especially ones used for demanding work, games, or office systems.

2.nounB1
Definition

computers, especially ones used for demanding work, games, or office systems.

Example

Heloisa saved for months before buying two machines for her design studio.

machines meaning computers in a work setting

The IT team rebooted all the lab machines after the software update.

lab machines + software context

Common collocations
  • lab machines
  • office machines
  • fast machines
  • old machines
Synonyms
  • computers

    the neutral everyday word

  • PCs

    narrower; usually desktop or laptop personal computers

  • workstations

    more technical; often more powerful than ordinary office computers

Grammar Patterns

machines + run software

lab machines

office machines

Usage Note

Common in computing, gaming, and office talk, especially when speakers care about speed or power. Distinguish from sense 1 by nearby words such as 'software', 'files', 'program', and 'reboot'.

3. cars or motorcycles, especially when people talk about them with admiration.

3.nounB2
Definition

cars or motorcycles, especially when people talk about them with admiration.

Example

Asher keeps three classic machines in a garage outside town.

classic machines for admired cars or bikes

The riders parked their machines beside the cafe before lunch.

machines used by motorcycle riders

Common collocations
  • classic machines
  • racing machines
  • powerful machines
  • park the machines
Synonyms
  • vehicles

    neutral and much wider in scope

  • rides

    informal, especially for cars people feel proud of

  • bikes

    narrower; only for motorcycles or bicycles depending on context

Grammar Patterns

classic machines

park the machines

powerful machines

Usage Note

Informal and often enthusiastic. Speakers use it when they want a vehicle to sound powerful, stylish, or impressive, especially in motorbike and car talk.

4. cash machines that let people take money from a bank account by using a card.

4.nounB2
Definition

cash machines that let people take money from a bank account by using a card.

Example

There were no machines near the station, so Tara could not get cash.

machines meaning ATMs in a cash context

Bank machines outside the mall ran out of cash by noon.

bank machines + cash shortage

Common collocations
  • bank machines
  • cash machines
  • hotel machines
  • airport machines
Synonyms
  • ATMs

    the more international and especially American term

  • cash machines

    the full British English phrase

Grammar Patterns

machines near the bank

machines take cards

machines give cash

Usage Note

Most common when the place or task already makes money clear, as with banks, cards, or cash. In American English, people usually say 'ATMs' instead.

5. organized groups of people that control how a party, campaign, or other system o

5.nounC1
Definition

organized groups of people that control how a party, campaign, or other system operates.

Example

Local party machines were already choosing candidates before summer ended.

party machines in political organization

The old machines inside city hall resisted every reform plan.

machines meaning entrenched power groups

Common collocations
  • party machines
  • campaign machines
  • political machines
  • powerful machines
Synonyms
  • apparatuses

    more formal, especially in political writing

  • networks

    broader; emphasizes connected people rather than formal control

  • organizations

    neutral, but less critical and less metaphorical

Grammar Patterns

party machines

campaign machines

machines inside an organization

Usage Note

Often appears in critical descriptions of politics or large organizations. Distinguish from sense 1 by contexts involving elections, officials, propaganda, or internal power.

Common Mistakes

The school bought new machines for its election team.
The party built a strong campaign machine.
this sense refers to organized people and influence, not equipment.

6. people who work or produce results with steady, almost mechanical efficiency.

6.nounB2
Definition

people who work or produce results with steady, almost mechanical efficiency.

Example

Charlotte and Minh were machines during the exam week, barely resting.

be machines for tireless efficiency

After the storm, the repair crews worked like machines for two days.

work like machines

Common collocations
  • be machines
  • work like machines
  • absolute machines
  • turn into machines
Synonyms
  • workhorses

    emphasizes reliable hard work over speed

  • dynamos

    high energy and strong output, often in informal praise

  • powerhouses

    stresses impressive results more than methodical routine

Antonyms
  • slackers

    informal opposite for people who avoid work

Grammar Patterns

be machines

work like machines

turn into machines

Usage Note

Informal and usually approving, though it can also hint that someone is pushing too hard. It is used for people or teams, not for actual equipment.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

For the general sense in noun/1, 'machine' usually suggests a powered piece of equipment with moving parts that does a job. 'Device' is broader and can be small, electronic, or fairly simple, such as a smoke alarm or a phone. 'Appliance' is narrower and usually points to household machines like fridges or washing machines. 'Equipment' is a collective word for the set of tools and machines needed for an activity, so it focuses on the whole setup rather than each unit. 'Tool' is usually simpler and often hand-operated. A studio may buy new sewing machines, but all its tables, lights, and machines together are its equipment.

device ↗appliance ↗equipment ↗tool ↗

Etymology

GreekLatinFrenchEnglish

English 'machine' came through French from Latin 'machina', and that word goes back to Greek 'mekhane', which referred to a device, contrivance, or means of getting something done. The modern English word kept the idea of an arranged system that produces an effect.

First known use

1545

1545, in the meaning defined at sense 4a