machine
- 01 A1 Beginner
n.a piece of equipment with moving parts that does a specific job, usually using electricity or an engine.
n.an apparatus using mechanical power and having several parts, each with a definite function and together performing a particular task.
Simple“The washing machine broke down yesterday, so I have to wash my clothes by hand.”
In context“The factory floor was filled with heavy machines that cut and shaped steel plates with incredible precision.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a computer or a piece of hardware.
n.a computer or similar electronic processing device.
Simple“I need to restart my machine because the software is running very slowly.”
In context“The developer spent the afternoon configuring the virtual machine to mirror the production environment exactly.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a person or an organisation that works very hard and very fast without showing emotion.
n.a person or organisation that acts with the regularity, speed, or lack of emotion associated with a mechanical device.
Simple“She is a machine in the gym; she never seems to get tired.”
In context“The marketing department has become a well-oiled machine, producing high-quality content at an unprecedented rate.”
Synonyms - 04 C1 Advanced
n.a powerful group of people who control a political party or a city.
n.an efficient and often cynical political organisation that controls votes and administrative appointments.
Simple“The local political machine has controlled the city council for over thirty years.”
In context“The candidate struggled to gain traction against the party machine, which had already decided on a preferred successor.”
Synonyms - 05 C1 Advanced
v.to make or shape something using a machine, especially out of metal.
v.to shape, finish, or manufacture a component using machine-controlled tools, typically through subtractive processes like milling or turning.
Simple“The engine parts are machined to be exactly the right size.”
In context“Each aerospace component must be machined to extremely tight tolerances to ensure the safety of the aircraft.”
Synonyms
Usage machine learning · machine gun
Borrowed from Middle French machine, from Latin māchina (“a machine, engine, contrivance, device, stratagem, trick”), from Doric Greek μᾱχᾰνᾱ́ (mākhănā́), cognate with Attic Greek μηχᾰνή (mēkhănḗ, “a machine, engine, contrivance, device”), from which comes mechanical. Displaced native Old English searu.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.