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
Examples of apparatus in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Even the artists whose work all this machinery is supposedly serving no longer have a reliable way to know what real audiences actually want, since whatever feedback reaches them may already have passed through the same apparatus built to distort that feedback in the first place.
—
Lane Brown, Vulture, 15 May 2026
He has been widely viewed as the operational commander of the country’s military and intelligence apparatus at the time of the shootdown.
—Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 15 May 2026
Given the elaborate literary apparatus, the surprise is that the recipes mostly work, yielding cumin-y plovs with crispy-rice bottoms and rich Uyghur lamb noodles.
—The Atlantic, 14 May 2026
Perhaps it’s meant to suggest the weight of history or the state apparatuses crowding characters into the bottom of the frame, or space that’s occupied by unseen spirits (Goethe himself?
—Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for apparatus
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Lane Brown, Vulture, 15 May 2026
He has been widely viewed as the operational commander of the country’s military and intelligence apparatus at the time of the shootdown.
—Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 15 May 2026
Given the elaborate literary apparatus, the surprise is that the recipes mostly work, yielding cumin-y plovs with crispy-rice bottoms and rich Uyghur lamb noodles.
—The Atlantic, 14 May 2026
Perhaps it’s meant to suggest the weight of history or the state apparatuses crowding characters into the bottom of the frame, or space that’s occupied by unseen spirits (Goethe himself?
—Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for apparatus
Cite this Entry
“Apparatus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apparatus. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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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