INDEX:
1. a machine
2. a thing that produces power for a machine or vehicle
3. relating to or done by machines
RELATED WORDS
see also
↑ COMPUTERS/INTERNET/EMAIL
↑ TOOL
↑ EQUIPMENT
↑ REPAIR
↑ WORKING
↑ BROKEN/NOT BROKEN
↑ CONDITION
↑ INVENT
↑ SWITCH ON OR OFF
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1. a machine
▷ machine /məˈʃiːn/ [countable noun]
a piece of equipment that does a particular type of work, either in your home or in a factory, office etc, using power from an engine or from electricity :
▪ a machine that fills beer bottles
▪ One cable was damaged, which was causing the machine to shut down frequently.
sewing/washing/fax machine
a machine for sewing, washing clothes etc
▪ There is a washing machine in the basement of the building.
operate a machine
make it work
▪ It’s possible to operate the machines by remote control.
by machine
▪ Ice could be made in huge quantities by machine.
▷ device /dɪˈvaɪs/ [countable noun]
a piece of equipment that has been cleverly designed to do a particular job, for example one that makes measurements, records sounds or movements, or controls the operation of a machine :
▪ An EEG is a device that records electrical activity in the brain.
device for
▪ a device for controlling temperature
▪ The farmers there still use the ‘Archimedes Screw’, an ancient device for raising water from a lake or well.
listening/measuring device
▪ They were both aware that there might be listening devices hidden in the room.
safety device
▪ The National Association for Elevator Safety says that most elevators have safety devices that prevent free-falls.
▷ robot /ˈrəʊbɒtǁ-bɑːt, -bət/ [countable noun]
a machine that is controlled by a computer and can do some of the complicated jobs that humans do, such as making things in a factory :
▪ With the flick of a switch, the robot picks up the bomb, carries it away from buildings, and blows it up.
▪ One astronaut used the space shuttle’s robot arm to pick up an 1800-pound satellite from space.
▷ appliance /əˈplaɪəns/ [countable noun] formal
a piece of electrical equipment used in your home, such as a washing machine :
▪ People are spending more of their income on goods such as cars and appliances.
domestic/household/home appliance
▪ To make it easier to return any unwanted purchases, save the original packaging, especially for electronics and household appliances.
▷ machinery /məˈʃiːnəri/ [uncountable noun]
machines in general, especially the large machines used in factories or on farms :
heavy machinery
▪ The package says you shouldn’t drive or operate heavy machinery after taking these pills.
industrial/farm machinery
▪ Industrial machinery and electronic equipment lead the nation’s export list.
▪ a company that manufactures farm machinery
▷ mechanism /ˈmekənɪz ə m/ [countable noun]
a piece of equipment that is designed to do a particular job inside a machine or larger piece of equipment :
▪ The mechanism that raises the bridge was not working correctly.
▪ Unfortunately, the water had damaged the firing mechanism inside the rocket.
▪ The garlic press uses a screw mechanism to squeeze out juice and pulp.
▷ contraption /kənˈtræpʃ ə n/ [countable noun]
a machine that seems strange and awkward-looking and has lots of pieces joined together in a strange way :
▪ Early cameras were large and expensive contraptions.
▪ By demonstrating his floating contraption - part surfboard, part kayak and part sailboard - Halfon hopes to create a tide of attention.
2. a thing that produces power for a machine or vehicle
▷ engine /ˈendʒɪn, ˈendʒən/ [countable noun]
the part of a car, aircraft etc that produces the power that makes it move :
▪ Every time I try to start the engine, there’s a strange knocking sound.
▪ She left the car in the drive with the engine still running.
▪ The SVT is available only with a six-cylinder engine.
automobile/jet etc engine
▪ Some residents fear the crops would attract birds that might be sucked into jet engines.
diesel engine
▪ For next year, the company will offer three cars with turbocharged diesel engines in the United States.
▷ motor /ˈməʊtəʳ/ [countable noun]
the part of a machine that makes it work or move, especially by using electrical power :
▪ Just then, the motor failed and the boat began drifting out of control.
electric motor
▪ The ceiling fan is powered by an electric motor.
3. relating to or done by machines
▷ mechanical /mɪˈkænɪk ə l/ [adjective]
using machines, or getting power from an engine :
▪ In a bakery, the bread is rarely kneaded by hand but by large mechanical mixers.
mechanical problem/fault/failure
when a machine is not working properly
▪ A mechanical problem may be to blame for the crash.
mechanical device
▪ Flemma said that a reliable mechanical device was needed for the thousands of patients who die while awaiting human heart transplants.
mechanically [adverb]
▪ The bones can be removed mechanically before the birds are packaged for sale.
▷ automatic /ˌɔːtəˈmætɪk◂/ [adjective]
automatic washing machines, weapons etc are designed to operate by themselves, without much human control or attention :
▪ Automatic lights had come on in various parts of the house.
▪ The camera has a 32mm glass lens, and its automatic shutter allows you to take photos in near-darkness without a flash.
automatic weapon/rifle
one that can fire many bullets quickly
▪ The soldiers lay on the highway with their automatic rifles beside them.
automatically [adverb]
▪ The doors open automatically when you go near them.