apparat

American  

[ap-uh-rat, ah-puh-raht] / ˌæp əˈræt, ˌɑ pəˈrɑt /

noun

1. an organization or existing power structure, especially a political one.

   a position of leadership within the party apparat; The chess apparat is not eager to change tournament rules.

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apparat British  

/ ˌæpəˈrɑːt /

noun

1. the Communist Party organization in the former Soviet Union and other states

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Etymology

Origin of apparat

1940–45; < Russian apparát originally, scientific apparatus < German < Latin apparātus. See apparatus

Example Sentences

The security apparat would weary of the task.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 18, 2025

While both are considered supporters of perestroika, they are also veteran members of the party apparat, come from the same ideological mold as the men they replaced and give no hint of brilliance.

From Time Magazine Archive

It is, he says, made up of the "only systems that work -- the army, the KGB and the good old party apparat."

From Time Magazine Archive

The sprawling apparat of agents who carried out Saddam's repressions--maybe 5,000 in the various special security services--would be purged.

From Time Magazine Archive

In the meetings of the Prime Ministers and President Wilson le ton était celui de la conversation; nul apparat, nulle pose.

From Peaceless Europe by Nitti, Francesco Saverio