► machinea piece of equipment that uses power such as electricity to do a particular job: Machines have replaced workers in many factories. You need training before you can operate this machine.
► machinery machines in general, especially large machines in factories or on farms: The miners have to use heavy machinery to dig into the earth.
► device a piece of equipment, usually small and electronic, that does a special job: A seismograph is a device that measures earthquake activity.
► unit a separate piece of equipment that is part of a larger machine: The control unit on the plane’s right propeller may have failed.
► appliance a machine that is used in the home: We sell kitchen appliances such as refrigerators and stoves.
► mechanism a part of a machine that does a particular job: The car’s steering mechanism was making strange noises.
► robot a machine that can move and do some of the work of a person on its own: The factory uses robots to help people put the cars together.
► apparatus formal a machine or set of devices that is used for a particular purpose: Electrons are sent through the apparatus at high speed.
► gadget informal a small piece of equipment that makes a particular job easier to do: I have a new gadget for opening wine bottles.
► contraption informal a machine or piece of equipment. Used when you do not know what it is or does: What does that contraption do?