DictionaryAI

apparatus

noun
ap-uh-RAY-tuhs/ˌæp.əˈɹeɪ.təs/

Pluralapparatuses, apparatusses, apparatus

4 meanings of apparatus

Practice

  1. 1
    nouncountable or uncountable
    The equipment, machinery, or set of instruments needed for a particular task or purpose.

    The lab installed a new apparatus for measuring air quality.

    Divers rely on breathing apparatus to stay safe underwater.

    UsagePlural apparatuses or unchanged apparatus (not incorrect: apparati); also a piece of apparatus.

    Similarequipment, device, machine, gear, instrument

  2. 2
    nouncountable
    The whole system or organization through which something, such as a government, political party, or industry, operates or achieves its aims.

    The party's apparatus controlled every appointment in the region.

    Reformers tried to dismantle the security apparatus of the old regime.

    UsageOften follows a noun: party apparatus, state apparatus, security apparatus.

    Similarmachinery, system, structure, organization, network

    Note

    The word names the working structure of a body such as a state, party or industry: its officials, offices and procedures taken together. Political writing often uses machine in much the same way, as in a party machine.

  3. 3
    fire trucknouncountable or uncountable
    A vehicle used by firefighters or other services to respond to emergencies.

    Three pieces of apparatus responded to the warehouse fire.

    The station's newest apparatus carries a hundred-foot ladder.

    UsageOften counted with pieces of: three pieces of apparatus; the plural is usually unchanged.

    Note

    Fire-service usage stretches the word to cover every vehicle a station sends out, including pumpers, ladder trucks and rescue units. To outsiders it can sound oddly formal for a truck, but inside the service it is the everyday term.

    Checked 2 Nov 2026 · 1 fact

    • Fire-service apparatus includes pumpers, ladder trucks and rescue vehicles. apps.usfa.fema.gov
  4. 4
    nouncountable or uncountable
    Any of the pieces of equipment used in gymnastics, such as the beam or bars, or the hoop or ribbon in rhythmic gymnastics.

    She mounted the apparatus and began her routine.

    Each gymnast competes on several pieces of apparatus during the meet.

    UsageGymnasts compete on a fixed apparatus (or with a hand apparatus); often counted as pieces of apparatus.

    Note

    Artistic gymnastics uses the word for its fixed equipment, such as the pommel horse, parallel bars, balance beam and vault. Rhythmic gymnastics reverses the relationship: there the apparatus is held in the hand and moves with the performer.

    Checked 2 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

    • Artistic gymnastics apparatus includes the pommel horse, parallel bars, balance beam and vault. olympic.ca
    • Rhythmic gymnastics uses handheld apparatus that moves with the performer. gymnastics.sport

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of apparatus apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

Borrowed from Latin apparātus; it is a doublet of apparat.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 2 facts