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Showing results for apparatus. Search instead for apparater.
Definitions

apparatus

[ap-uh-rat-uhs, -rey-tuhs] / ˌæp əˈræt əs, -ˈreɪ təs /
NOUN
equipment with a purpose
Synonyms
STRONGEST
appliance device gear gizmo machine machinery means mechanism
STRONG
accoutrement contraption dingbat doodad doohickey furnishings gaff gimcrack gimmick grabber habiliments implement jigger job outfit paraphernalia provisions setup stuff supplies tackle thingamajig tools utensils whatchamacallit whatsis widget
WEAK
black box idiot box whosis
NOUN
organization or system
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bureaucracy hierarchy network structure
STRONG
setup
WEAK
chain of command

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

When he shot into prominence in 2024, Magyar had no party apparatus behind him.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

Sources told the BBC that the Hamas Interior Ministry has restructured its executive apparatus, appointing new police directors, setting up temporary headquarters and detention facilities and deploying new security patrols.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

From Washington and Ottawa to Europe and Japan, money is flowing into the apparatus of war and security on levels not seen in decades.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

Dyszel built frames for neutron tracking detectors and assembled them within the experimental apparatus.

From Science Daily • Mar. 13, 2026

We are entitled to feel at home in Boyle’s universe, even if it is a mechanical apparatus; it is not clear that an immortal, immaterial soul has any business feeling at home in Descartes’ universe.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.