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Definition of apparatus noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

apparatus

noun
 
 
/ˌæpəˈreɪtəs/
 
/ˌæpəˈrætəs/
(plural apparatuses)
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  1.  
    [uncountable] the tools or other pieces of equipment that are needed for a particular activity or task
    • a piece of laboratory apparatus
    • Firefighters needed breathing apparatus to enter the burning house.
    • Science departments say they are lacking basic apparatus.
    Synonyms equipmentequipmentmaterial ▪ gear ▪ kit ▪ apparatusThese are all words for the things that you need for a particular purpose or activity.equipment the things that are needed for a particular purpose or activity:
    • camping equipment
    • a piece of equipment
    material things that are needed for a particular activity:
    • household cleaning materials
    • teaching material
     equipment or material?Equipment is usually solid things, especially large ones. Materials may be liquids, powders or books, software, etc. containing information, as well as small solid items.gear the equipment or clothes needed for a particular activity:
    • Skiing gear can be expensive.
    kit a set of tools or equipment that you use for a particular purpose:
    • a first-aid kit
    • a tool kit
    apparatus the tools or other pieces of equipment that are needed for a particular activity or task:
    • breathing apparatus for firefighters
    • laboratory apparatus
    Apparatus is used especially for scientific, medical or technical purposes.    Patterns
    • electrical/​electronic equipment/​gear/​apparatus
    • sports equipment/​gear/​kit
    • camping equipment/​gear
    • a piece of equipment/​apparatus
    Topics Scientific researchc1
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • breathing
    • electrical
    • experimental
    • …
    … of apparatus
    • piece
    phrases
    • the apparatus of government
    • the apparatus of the state
    See full entry
  2.  
    [countable, usually singular] the structure of a system or an organization, particularly that of a political party or a government
    • the power of the state apparatus
    • We cannot do without the apparatus of government in protecting the rights of the individual.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • breathing
    • electrical
    • experimental
    • …
    … of apparatus
    • piece
    phrases
    • the apparatus of government
    • the apparatus of the state
    See full entry
  3. [countable, usually singular] (specialist) a system of organs in the body
    • the sensory apparatus
    4. Word Originearly 17th cent.: from Latin, from apparare ‘make ready for’, from ad- ‘towards’ + parare ‘make ready’.
See apparatus in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee apparatus in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
Check pronunciation: apparatus

Nearby words

trait
noun
 
 
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