What does "apparatus" mean?

1. (technical equipment) the set of tools, machines, or instruments used for a particular job or scientific experiment. 2. (organisational system) the complex system of a government or organization that makes it work. 3. (gymnastics equipment) the specific pieces of equipment that gymnasts use, like the bars or the rings. 4. (biological system) a group of organs in the body that work together to do a job.

How do you use "apparatus"?

Usually treated as an uncountable or collective noun, though 'apparatuses' is the standard plural form.

apparatus

US //ˌæpɝˈætəs// UK //ˌæpəɹˈeɪtəs// ap·pa·ra·tus

1 technical equipment (n.)
C1 Advanced Formal Technical Science

the set of tools, machines, or instruments used for a particular job or scientific experiment.

a collective term for the technical equipment or machinery needed for a particular activity or purpose.

Example

The laboratory was filled with expensive apparatus for testing water quality.

Example

The researchers spent several weeks calibrating the delicate apparatus before they could begin the high-pressure chemical synthesis.

Usage

Usually treated as an uncountable or collective noun, though 'apparatuses' is the standard plural form.
2 organisational system (n.)
C1 Advanced Formal Academic

the complex system of a government or organization that makes it work.

the complex structure of a particular organisation or system, especially a political or bureaucratic one.

Example

It is difficult to change the state apparatus because it has so many layers of rules.

Example

The party maintained control by embedding its loyalists deep within the administrative apparatus of the regional government.

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3 gymnastics equipment (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Sport

the specific pieces of equipment that gymnasts use, like the bars or the rings.

the various pieces of equipment on which gymnasts perform their exercises.

Example

She practiced her routine on every apparatus, including the balance beam and the uneven bars.

Example

The gymnast moved fluidly from one apparatus to the next, demonstrating remarkable versatility across both the rings and the vault.
- equipment
4 biological system (n.)
C2 Proficiency Technical Medicine

a group of organs in the body that work together to do a job.

a group of organs or structures that work together to perform a specific biological function.

Example

The breathing apparatus in humans includes the lungs and the windpipe.

Example

Damage to the vestibular apparatus in the inner ear can lead to chronic issues with balance and spatial orientation.
- system
- mechanism

Origin

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂éd Proto-Italic *ad Proto-Italic *ad- Latin ad- Proto-Indo-European *perh₃-der. Latin parō Latin apparō Proto-Indo-European *-tus Proto-Italic *-tus Latin -tus Latin apparātuslbor. English apparatus Learned borrowing from Latin apparātus. Doublet of apparat.