26984 words

machine

12 definitions • 31 examples
1
a piece of equipment with several moving parts that uses power to do a particular type of work:

Examples:

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 from a vending machine.
2

Examples:

You'll need a powerful machine for editing videos.
3

Examples:

approving That's a mean (= powerful) machine you've got there, Bill.
4
a group of people who control and organize something:

Examples:

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.
5
to sew cloth with a sewing machine:

Examples:

I've almost finished making the curtains - I just have to machine the hem.
6
to cut or shape metal on a machine:

Examples:

Tungsten carbide tools are used extensively for machining steel.
7
a device with moving parts that uses power to do work of a particular type:

Examples:

a sewing/washing machine
an answering machine
8
A machine is also a group of people who control a political organization:

Examples:

He was a product of an old-line party machine.
9
a piece of equipment with moving parts that uses power to do a particular type of work:

Examples:

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.
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
10

Examples:

You'll need a powerful machine for editing videos.
Most machines running these programs have poor network connections.
11
a group of people who control and organize something:

Examples:

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.
12
to make or change the shape of something using a machine:

Examples:

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

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