apparatus
noun
ap·pa·ra·tus
ˌa-pə-ˈra-təs 
-ˈrā-
-ˈrā-
plural apparatuses or apparatus
1
a
: a set of materials or equipment designed for a particular use
b
: a group of anatomical or cytological parts functioning together
mitotic apparatus
c
: an instrument or appliance designed for a specific operation
an apparatus for measuring vision
2
: the functional processes by means of which a systematized activity is carried out
the apparatus of society
: such as
a
: the machinery of government
b
: the organization of a political party or an underground movement
Synonyms
Examples of apparatus in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The tan leather breathing apparatus Spurway wore on her chest was called a Salvus.
—
Rachel Lance, WIRED, 16 Apr. 2024
Alternatively, the power can be transferred via inductance, but in that case the apparatus is typically cumbersome, making the unit complicated and physically large and heavy.
—IEEE Spectrum, 15 Apr. 2024
That apparatus included the Miami-Dade Safe and Secure political committee, which had $87,000 in the bank when Reyes joined the race and then proceeded to raise $392,000 from donors.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 12 Apr. 2024
The criminal gangs, which include some local members, may also be targeting jewelers on freeways because they are patrolled by the California Highway Patrol, whose investigative apparatus is not as robust as that of the LAPD or other agencies, according to law enforcement officials.
—Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024
Public engagement is a crucial (and often solicited) part of the publicity apparatus; privacy is not.
—Tiffany Hsu, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2024
Activated at night via remote control, the apparatus detects each breath and electrically activates the tongue to keep it from obstructing the airway.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 4 Apr. 2024
The attack has further dented the image of strength and security that the Russian leader seeks to convey and exposed fundamental weaknesses in the nation’s security apparatus, which has been consumed by more than two years of war in Ukraine.
—Shane Harris, Washington Post, 2 Apr. 2024
Though the apparatus wasn’t widely available, this display represented a forerunner to real-time game updates on sports websites.
—Frederic J. Frommer, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Mar. 2024
Rachel Lance, WIRED, 16 Apr. 2024
Alternatively, the power can be transferred via inductance, but in that case the apparatus is typically cumbersome, making the unit complicated and physically large and heavy.
—IEEE Spectrum, 15 Apr. 2024
That apparatus included the Miami-Dade Safe and Secure political committee, which had $87,000 in the bank when Reyes joined the race and then proceeded to raise $392,000 from donors.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 12 Apr. 2024
The criminal gangs, which include some local members, may also be targeting jewelers on freeways because they are patrolled by the California Highway Patrol, whose investigative apparatus is not as robust as that of the LAPD or other agencies, according to law enforcement officials.
—Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024
Public engagement is a crucial (and often solicited) part of the publicity apparatus; privacy is not.
—Tiffany Hsu, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2024
Activated at night via remote control, the apparatus detects each breath and electrically activates the tongue to keep it from obstructing the airway.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 4 Apr. 2024
The attack has further dented the image of strength and security that the Russian leader seeks to convey and exposed fundamental weaknesses in the nation’s security apparatus, which has been consumed by more than two years of war in Ukraine.
—Shane Harris, Washington Post, 2 Apr. 2024
Though the apparatus wasn’t widely available, this display represented a forerunner to real-time game updates on sports websites.
—Frederic J. Frommer, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'apparatus.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near apparatus
Cite this Entry
“Apparatus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apparatus. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
apparatus
noun
ap·pa·ra·tus
ˌap-ə-ˈrat-əs
-ˈrāt-
-ˈrāt-
plural apparatuses or apparatus
1
: the equipment or material for a particular use or job
laboratory apparatus
2
: a complicated instrument or device
Medical Definition
apparatus
noun
ap·pa·ra·tus
ˌap-ə-ˈrat-əs
-ˈrāt-
-ˈrāt-
plural apparatuses or apparatus
: a group of anatomical and cytological parts having a common function
the respiratory apparatus
see golgi apparatus
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share