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.

The first laser beam established the position of each cluster with an accuracy of about 10 nm and placed the particles into a quantum superposition, meaning they could follow multiple paths through the apparatus simultaneously.

From Science Daily • May 11, 2026

For the buyers, it’s way cheaper, more efficient, and less burdensome than the official Meta/TikTok/YouTube ad-and-influencer apparatus.

From Slate • May 6, 2026

“The Devil Wears Prada” was and is the perfect example of a self-contained story, built by the studio machine but never intended to keep the apparatus running.

From Salon • May 1, 2026

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

Although the metal might have interfered with his apparatus, Bell decided that the effect wasn't enough to explain the results from the day before.

From "Ambushed!" by Gail Jarrow

Vocabulary lists containing apparatus

Orbiting Jupiter

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Among the Hidden

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The Time Machine

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