OEM

American  

[oh-ee-em] / ˈoʊˈiˈɛm /

abbreviation

1. original equipment manufacturer:

   1. a firm that purchases complex equipment, as computers, from manufacturers and modifies or combines different components for resale.

   2. a firm that manufactures components or parts included in the finished product made by another.

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OEM British  

abbreviation

1. original equipment manufacturer: a computer company whose products are made by customizing basic parts supplied by others

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Etymology

Origin of OEM

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

"As a result, labour conditions in OEM facilities are closely shaped by brand sourcing practices," said CLW.

From BBC • Jan. 15, 2026

Earlier this month, med-tech provider Teleflex announced the sale of its acute care, interventional urology and original equipment manufacturer, or OEM, businesses to two different buyers for more than $2 billion.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 17, 2025

“Beta is an aircraft OEM and parts supplier, the most attractive business models in aviation,” he wrote this week.

From Barron's • Dec. 4, 2025

At the Rose Bowl, incident command consisted of three SUVs parked side by side: county fire, sheriff and OEM, according to Miller.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 1, 2025

At the close of the war there were 29 agencies grouped under OEM, of which OCD, WMC, and OC were the first to fold up.

From The Constitution of the United States of America: Analysis and Interpretation Annotations of Cases Decided by the Supreme Court of the United States to June 30, 1952 by Corwin, Edward Samuel