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.

There’s still plenty of eye rolling in China at caricatures of the U.S. presented by the propaganda apparatus.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 19, 2026

Once Kansas City police have trained counterdrone personnel and installed detection equipment for soccer matches at Arrowhead Stadium, that capability does not disappear — it becomes part of the local security apparatus.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 13, 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

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

From Science Daily • Mar. 13, 2026

When assembled, Michell’s apparatus looked like nothing so much as an eighteenth-century version of a Nautilus weight-training machine.

From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson

Vocabulary lists containing apparatus

Orbiting Jupiter

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

Among the Hidden

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

The Time Machine

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!