Apparatus

Pronunciation

• IPA: /æ.pəˈɹæ.tÉ™s/, /æ.pəˈɹeɪ.tÉ™s/, /æpəˈɹɑːtÉ™s/
• Rhymes: -eɪtÉ™s

Origin

From Latin apparātus

Full definition of apparatus

Noun

1. The entirety of means whereby a specific production is made existent or task accomplished.
2. A complex machine or instrument.
3. An assortment of tools or instruments.
4. A bureaucratic organization, especially one influenced by political patronage.
5. (firefighting) A vehicle used for emergency response.

Usage notes

Is occasionally used as an invariant plural:

Look at all of those apparatus.

Synonyms

• (entirety of means) setup, mechanism, dynamic
• (complex machine) instrument, machinery, device
• (assortment of tools) tools, gear, equipment
• (political patronage organization) machine

Related terms

• apparat