Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for apparatus

apparatus

[ ap-uh-rat-uhs, -rey-tuhs ]

noun

, plural ap·pa·rat·us, ap·pa·rat·us·es.
  1. a group or combination of instruments, machinery, tools, materials, etc., having a particular function or intended for a specific use:

    Our town has excellent fire-fighting apparatus.

  2. any complex instrument or mechanism for a particular purpose.

    Synonyms: contrivance, contraption, device, appliance, machine

  3. any system or systematic organization of activities, functions, processes, etc., directed toward a specific goal:

    the apparatus of government; espionage apparatus.

  4. Physiology. a group of structurally different organs working together in the performance of a particular function:

    the digestive apparatus.



apparatus

/ ˌæpəˈreɪtəs; ˈæpəˌreɪtəs; -ˈrɑːtəs /

noun

  1. a collection of instruments, machines, tools, parts, or other equipment used for a particular purpose
  2. a machine having a specific function

    breathing apparatus

  3. the means by which something operates; organization

    the apparatus of government

  4. anatomy any group of organs having a specific function
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of apparatus1

1620–30; < Latin apparātus equipment, originally the act of equipping, preparation, equivalent to apparā ( re ) to prepare ( ap- ap- 1 + parāre; prepare ) + -tus suffix of v. action
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of apparatus1

C17: from Latin, from apparāre to make ready
Discover More

Example Sentences

The scenarios laid out by the Transition Integrity Project and Foley shouldn’t be taken as definite outcomes, but they do make clear that the rickety apparatus governing our electoral process could collapse if key actors decide to push against it.

The increase in Hong Kong’s oppressive policies under the new national security law has created fear that the universal testing scheme is just another apparatus of state control.

From Fortune

Endorsing fewer candidates is part of a longer-term approach as the group’s political apparatus has grown more sophisticated.

Studies have shown that it’s easy to identify riders using this information, providing the city government with a massive surveillance apparatus.

He set up the apparatus in his woodshop and filmed himself coughing without and with a mask.

The way academics still publish papers on whether you possess the necessary mental apparatus to function in a civil democracy.

After failing to secure the nomination, he eventually suspended his campaign—but he did not suspend his political apparatus.

But providing an objective picture is not what the Kremlin and its media apparatus is known for.

Safety officials believe it snapped, sending both acrobats and apparatus hurtling 25 to 40 feet to the floor.

He also opted to use “his eyes” as his only light measuring apparatus, something Nel quickly dismissed as “subjective.”

“The sepoys have come in from Meerut,” he announced with the slow tick of the earliest form of apparatus.

While the test is somewhat tedious, all the manipulations are simple and require no apparatus but flasks, test-tubes, and funnels.

Hydrogen sulphid is easily prepared in the simple apparatus shown in Fig. 30.

The endless miles of railways, the vast apparatus of the factories, the soaring structures of the cities bear easy witness to it.

As all parts of this apparatus are of metal changes in humidity or temperature do not affect its regulation.

Advertisement

Discover More

What Is The Plural Of Apparatus?

Plural word for apparatus

The plural form of apparatus can be either apparatus or apparatuses. The appropriate plural form depends on whether the term is considered to be a mass (uncountable) noun (like air or rice) or a count noun (like apple or car). 

When used as a mass noun, the correct plural form is apparatus, as in The lab apparatus must be removed before the lab can be painted

When used as a count noun, the correct plural form is apparatuses, as in The ship is equipped with apparatuses for security, cargo loading, and more. The plurals of several other singular words that end in -s are also formed the same way, such as pass/passes, lotus/lotuses, and dress/dresses

In some nouns that end in -us that are derived from Latin, the irregular plural ending -i may be used instead, as in fungus/fungi or cactus/cacti. These nouns are considered irregular nouns.

However, this ending is not valid for apparatus. Apparati would be an invalid plural for apparatus.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


apparatchikapparatus criticus