Definition of “machine” - English Dictionary

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“machine” in English

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machinenoun [ C ]

uk ​ /məˈʃiːn/ us ​ /məˈʃiːn/

machine noun [ C ] (PIECE OF EQUIPMENT)

A2 a piece of equipment with several moving parts that uses power to do a particular type of work:

The different sizes of eggs are sorted by a machine.
If I'm not home when you call, leave a message on the machine (= answering machine).
Don't forget to put the towels in the machine (= washing machine) before you go out.
I got some chocolate from a vending machine.

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machine noun [ C ] (VEHICLE)

› informal a vehicle, often a motorcycle:

approving That's a mean (= powerful) machine you've got there, Bill.

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machine noun [ C ] (GROUP OF PEOPLE)

› a group of people who control and organize something:

Churchill's war machine
The party machine has swung into action with its preparation for the election.
It's now up to the government's propaganda machine to restore the leader's image.

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machineverb [ T ]

uk ​ /məˈʃiːn/ us ​ /məˈʃiːn/

(Definition of “machine” from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

“machine” in American English

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machinenoun [ C ]

us ​ /məˈʃin/

› a device with moving parts that uses power to do work of a particular type:

a sewing/washing machine
an answering machine

› politics & government A machine is also a group of people who control a political organization:

He was a product of an old-line party machine.

(Definition of “machine” from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

“machine” in Business English

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machinenoun [ C ]

uk ​ /məˈʃiːn/ us ​

› PRODUCTION a piece of equipment with moving parts that uses power to do a particular type of work:

The machines were designed to make bottles from recycled plastic.
operate/use a machine Now only a few people are required to operate the computerized machines.
install/service a machine Soft drink companies began installing vending machines in schools.
Is the machine working again?
a machine breaks down The machine broke down and we had to call someone to come and mend it.
a washing/sewing/copying machine Slowly feed the paper into the copying machine.
a machine for (doing) sth He invented a machine for setting type.
They use a special machine to scan the bone.
by machine The votes are counted by machine.
a machine operator/maker

› IT a computer:

You'll need a powerful machine for editing videos.
Most machines running these programs have poor network connections.

› a group of people who control and organize something:

political/publicity machine The publicity machine will not quit when the book tour grinds to a halt.
The hard left wanted ministers to be accountable to the party machine.
His business empire has grown into a well-oiled machine.

See also

answering machine
automated teller machine
cancellation machine
cash machine
dictation machine
fax
franking machine
mailing machine
tape machine
ticker-tape machine
vending machine

machineverb [ T ]

uk ​ /məˈʃiːn/ us ​

› PRODUCTION to make or change the shape of something using a machine:

Each hole has to be accurately machined.
The sides are carefully machined to fit the cylinders.

(Definition of “machine” from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

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