machine
noun [ C ]
uk/məˈʃiːn/ us PRODUCTION
a piece of equipment with moving parts that uses power to do a particular type of work:
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.
install/service a machine Soft drink companies began installing vending machines in schools.
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
IT
a computer:
You'll need a powerful machine for editing videos.
Most machines running these programs have poor network connections.
a group of people who control and organize something:
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.
See also
answering machine
automated teller machine
cancellation machine
cash machine
dictation machine
fax
franking machine
mailing machine
tape machine
ticker-tape machine
vending machine
machine
verb [ T ]
uk/məˈʃiːn/ us PRODUCTION
to make or change the shape of something using a machine:
Each hole has to be accurately machined.
The sides are carefully machined to fit the cylinders.