apparatus
noun
ap·pa·ra·tus
ˌa-pə-ˈra-təs 
-ˈrā-
-ˈrā-
plural apparatuses or apparatus
1
a
: a set of materials or equipment designed for a particular use
b
: a group of anatomical or cytological parts functioning together
mitotic apparatus
c
: an instrument or appliance designed for a specific operation
an apparatus for measuring vision
2
: the functional processes by means of which a systematized activity is carried out
the apparatus of society
: such as
a
: the machinery of government
b
: the organization of a political party or an underground movement
Synonyms
Examples of apparatus in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Since the launch of their life-altering apparatus in 1903, airplanes have come a long way.
—
Tracy Scott Forson, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Nov. 2024
Longer term, the law aims to undo a U.N. apparatus that Israel has regarded as problematic ever since it was established to provide for the needs of the 700,000 Palestinian refugees who were pushed off the land that became Israel.
—Karl Vick, TIME, 22 Nov. 2024
And whether its embedding bone-chilling, teeth-baring looks or not into its spooky sequences, Smile 2 spends a lot of time mining horror out of the old-fashioned music-industry apparatus.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2024
Musk, whose growing political apparatus has already proved its mettle, will gain more than just an ally in the White House.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for apparatus 
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Tracy Scott Forson, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Nov. 2024
Longer term, the law aims to undo a U.N. apparatus that Israel has regarded as problematic ever since it was established to provide for the needs of the 700,000 Palestinian refugees who were pushed off the land that became Israel.
—Karl Vick, TIME, 22 Nov. 2024
And whether its embedding bone-chilling, teeth-baring looks or not into its spooky sequences, Smile 2 spends a lot of time mining horror out of the old-fashioned music-industry apparatus.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2024
Musk, whose growing political apparatus has already proved its mettle, will gain more than just an ally in the White House.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for apparatus
Dictionary Entries Near apparatus
Cite this Entry
“Apparatus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apparatus. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
apparatus
noun
ap·pa·ra·tus
ˌap-ə-ˈrat-əs
-ˈrāt-
-ˈrāt-
plural apparatuses or apparatus
1
: the equipment or material for a particular use or job
laboratory apparatus
2
: a complicated instrument or device
Medical Definition
apparatus
noun
ap·pa·ra·tus
ˌap-ə-ˈrat-əs
-ˈrāt-
-ˈrāt-
plural apparatuses or apparatus
: a group of anatomical and cytological parts having a common function
the respiratory apparatus
see golgi apparatus
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