machine

Pluralmachines

Formsmachines, machining, machined

1. 1
   powered equipmentnouncountable

   A piece of equipment that uses power to do a job, like washing clothes or cutting wood.

   This machine can wash a whole basket of clothes in one hour.

   Farmers use machines to plant and pick their crops.

   UsageSay a washing machine or a coffee machine.

   Similardevice, apparatus, appliance, mechanism, contraption

2. 2
   nouncountable

   A computer: for example, a laptop or a desktop.

   My machine is too slow to play that new game.

   Turn the machine off and on again if it freezes.

   UsageProgrammers say my machine for their computer.

   Similarcomputer, box, system, workstation

   Note
3. 3
   tireless performernounfigurativelycountable

   A person or group that works very well and very hard, never losing focus or showing feelings, like a robot.

   She studied for ten hours straight. She's a machine!

   That sales team is a machine that never misses a goal.

   UsageSay she's a machine when someone works hard without stopping.

   Similarrobot, automaton, powerhouse, dynamo

   Note
4. 4
   party bossesnouncountable

   A group of people who control an organization and work together to get what they want.

   The party machine decided who could run for mayor.

   The city's old machine picked every candidate long before election day.

   UsageSay the party machine.

   Similarapparatus, organization, establishment, clique

   Note
5. 5
   cut metalverbtransitive

   To make or shape something, usually metal, using machines.

   Workers machine each metal part until it fits just right.

   The shop machined a new gear for my old bike.

   UsageSay a metal part was machined.

   Similarmill, grind, finish

   Note

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