Dictionary › M › machine

machine

2 syllables
Quick answer

As a noun, machine means a device that directs and controls energy, often in the form of movement or electricity, to produce a certain effect. As a verb, it means make by machinery.

Meanings of machine

17 meanings

noun

  1. A device that directs and controls energy, often in the form of movement or electricity, to produce a certain effect.

  2. telephonyabbreviationAn answering machine or, by extension, voice mail.

    “I called you earlier, but all I got was the machine.”

  3. computingA computer.

    “Game developers assume they're pushing the limits of the machine.”

    “He refuses to turn off his Linux machine.”

  4. figurativelyA person or organisation that seemingly acts like a machine, being particularly efficient, single-minded, or unemotional.

    “Bruce Campbell was a "demon-killing machine" because he made quick work of killing demons.”

    “The government has become a money-making machine.”

  5. Especially, the group that controls a political or similar organization; a combination of persons acting together for a common purpose, with the agencies which they use.

  6. poetrySupernatural agency in a poem, or a superhuman being introduced to perform some exploit.

  7. politicschiefly usThe system of special interest groups that supports a political party, especially in urban areas.

  8. Any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks

  9. An intricate organization that accomplishes its goals efficiently

    “the war machine”

  10. A device for overcoming resistance at one point by applying force at some other point

    Similar: simple machine
  11. A motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine

    “he needs a car to get to work”

    Similar: car, auto, automobile, motorcar
Older and rare meanings (4)
  1. datedA vehicle operated mechanically, such as an automobile or an airplane.

  2. euphemisticobsoletePenis.

  3. historicalA contrivance in the Ancient Greek theatre for indicating a change of scene, by means of which a god might cross the stage or deliver a divine message; the deus ex machina.

  4. obsoleteA bathing machine.

verb

  1. To make by machinery.

  2. To shape or finish by machinery; (usually, more specifically) to shape subtractively by metal-cutting with machine-controlled toolpaths.

Meanings from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).

Synonyms by meaning

All synonyms for machine →
noun: a device for overcoming resistance at one point by applyi…
simple machine
noun: a group that controls the activities of a political party
political machine
noun: a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an…

Words that rhyme with machine

All rhymes →

For word games

m3
a1
c3
h4
i1
n1
e1
Scrabble & Words With Friends: valid word14 points before bonuses.7 letters.
Unscramble these letters

Nearby words