apparatus
gb/ˌæpɚˈætəs/ us/ˌæpɚˈætəs/
B2
English
~ 9200
berendezés, felszerelés, apparátus, szervrendszer, szer, tornaszer
NOUN
B2
1
berendezés
B1
felszerelés
A2
Usage pattern:
[someone] uses [apparatus] for [activity]
The lab was filled with delicate measuring apparatus for the experiment.
A labor tele volt a kísérlethez használt finom mérőberendezésekkel.
Firefighters rely on breathing apparatus when entering smoke-filled buildings.
A tűzoltók légzőkészüléket használnak, amikor füsttel teli épületekbe mennek be.
The photographer carried a heavy bag of camera apparatus up the mountain.
The company invested in new safety apparatus to protect its workers.
The medical team tested the heart-monitoring apparatus before the surgery began.
Learner examples
The scientist uses special apparatus in the lab.
A tudós különleges berendezéseket használ a laborban.
You need safety apparatus when you work with these chemicals.
Védőfelszerelésre van szükséged, amikor ezekkel a vegyszerekkel dolgozol.
They wore breathing apparatus in the burning house.
This old apparatus does not work well anymore.
The doctor checked that all the medical apparatus was ready.
Common mistake:
Learners often think "apparatus" is always uncountable like "equipment". In modern English, "apparatus" is usually treated as singular countable when referring to one set (e.g. "a breathing apparatus"), and the plural is "apparatuses" (not *"apparata" in normal usage). Also, "apparatus" is more formal/technical than "equipment" and sounds strange in very casual speech.
Meaning
equipment for a particular task
Collocations
scientific apparatus
|laboratory apparatus
|breathing apparatus
|safety apparatus
|electrical apparatus
|diving apparatus
Synonyms
equipment (Most common general word; does not carry the slightly formal or technical tone of "apparatus.")
|
device (Usually refers to a single object or machine, while "apparatus" often suggests a set or system of items.)
Antonyms
simplicity (Suggests doing something in a very simple way without complex tools or equipment.)
Themes
science
|technology
|work
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A group of tools or machines that you use for a special job or activity.
A set of tools, machines, or pieces of equipment designed for a specific function or type of work.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
2
apparátus
C1
Usage pattern:
the [adjective] apparatus of [organization]
The new leader promised to reform the entire state apparatus.
Az új vezető megígérte, hogy megreformálja az egész állami apparátust.
Power is still concentrated in the party apparatus rather than in elected bodies.
A hatalom továbbra is inkább a pártapparátusban összpontosul, nem pedig a választott testületekben.
Critics say the security apparatus has become too powerful.
The propaganda apparatus quickly spread the government’s version of events.
Corruption was deeply rooted in the administrative apparatus of the country.
Learner examples
Many people do not trust the state apparatus.
Sokan nem bíznak az állami apparátusban.
The party apparatus controls who gets important jobs.
A pártapparátus dönti el, ki kap fontos állásokat.
The security apparatus listens to many phone calls.
They want to change the old political apparatus.
The media is part of the government’s information apparatus.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes try to use "apparatus" for any company or group, where "organization" or "system" would sound more natural. In politics, it is usually used with specific nouns like "state apparatus" or "party apparatus" and in fairly formal writing.
Meaning
organizational machinery of power
Collocations
state apparatus
|party apparatus
|bureaucratic apparatus
|administrative apparatus
|security apparatus
|propaganda apparatus
Synonyms
machinery (Often used metaphorically in politics like "political machinery"; slightly more figurative than "apparatus.")
|
bureaucracy (Emphasizes officials and procedures, often with a negative tone, while "apparatus" can be more neutral or structural.)
Antonyms
grassroots (Refers to ordinary people at the local level, in contrast to the centralized, official structures implied by "apparatus.")
Themes
politics
|society
|business
|law
Definition
The organized system of people and offices that runs a government, political party, or big institution.
The set of people, departments, and structures that operate and control a government, political party, or large organization.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
3
apparátus
C2
Usage pattern:
the [adjective] apparatus of [organism]
Smoking can seriously damage the respiratory apparatus.
A dohányzás súlyosan károsíthatja a légzőrendszert.
The study focused on the vocal apparatus of professional singers.
A kutatás a hivatásos énekesek hangképző apparátusára összpontosított.
Insects have a specialized feeding apparatus adapted to their diet.
The disease affects the reproductive apparatus in both males and females.
Researchers examined how the visual apparatus processes color and movement.
Learner examples
The doctor explained how the digestive apparatus works.
Az orvos elmagyarázta, hogyan működik az emésztőrendszer.
The vocal apparatus helps us make sounds.
A hangképző apparátus segít nekünk hangokat képezni.
This illness hurts the respiratory apparatus.
They study the visual apparatus in the lab.
The reproductive apparatus is very complex.
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize this is a technical word and may overuse it in everyday speech, where phrases like "digestive system" or simply "stomach" are more natural. Also, this sense only appears in scientific or medical contexts, not in casual conversation.
Meaning
group of organs with one function
Collocations
respiratory apparatus
|digestive apparatus
|reproductive apparatus
|vocal apparatus
|visual apparatus
Synonyms
system (The more common medical term (e.g. "digestive system"); "apparatus" is more formal and slightly less common.)
Antonyms
single organ (A single organ is one part only, while an apparatus is a group of organs working together.)
Themes
medicine
|biology
|health
|body
|science
Definition
In medical language, several body parts that work together to do one job inside the body.
In biology or medicine, a group of organs and structures in the body that work together to perform a particular function.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
4
Usage pattern:
[gymnast] performs on the [apparatus]
She specializes in the uneven bars, her strongest apparatus.
A felemáskorláton specialista, ez a legerősebb szere.
The gymnast fell during his routine on the pommel horse apparatus.
A tornász leesett a lóról a gyakorlata közben.
Each team must present athletes on every apparatus in the competition.
He qualified for three apparatus finals at the world championships.
The coach adjusted the apparatus before the next athlete began her routine.
Learner examples
He performs on the rings apparatus.
Gyűrűn mutatja be a gyakorlatát.
The uneven bars are her favorite apparatus.
A felemáskorlát a kedvenc szere.
They checked the apparatus before the competition.
Each gymnast trains on every apparatus.
She won a medal on the beam apparatus.
Common mistake:
Learners may think "apparatus" here means all the equipment in the gym, but in gymnastics it usually refers to one specific event’s equipment (for example, the bars or the rings).
Meaning
gymnastics event equipment
Collocations
gymnastics apparatus
|on the apparatus
|apparatus final
|men’s apparatus
|women’s apparatus
Synonyms
equipment (A general word; in gymnastics, "apparatus" is the more specific technical term for each event’s equipment.)
Antonyms
floor (In gymnastics, the floor exercise uses no apparatus, contrasting with events performed on apparatus.)
Themes
sports
Definition
In gymnastics, one piece of equipment for an event, like the rings or the bars.
In gymnastics, a specific piece of equipment used for a competitive event, such as the rings, bars, or pommel horse.
Grammar
Dictionary form
apparatus
IPA
GB/ˌæpɚˈætəs/
US/ˌæpɚˈætəs/
Syllables & stress
ap - par - at - us (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (par)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: apparatus
- Plural: apparati, apparatus, apparatuses
Word family
Forms
apparati
noun
apparatuses
noun
Expressions
breathing apparatus
1/bɹˈiðɪŋ ˌæpɚˈætəs/
fixed phrase
technical
equipment to help someone breathe
Special equipment that gives a person air so they can breathe in a place where the air is not safe or where there is no air.
Examples
- Firefighters must wear breathing apparatus inside the burning building.
- Divers checked their breathing apparatus before entering the water.
- The workers were given breathing apparatus for the chemical cleanup.
party apparatus
1/pˈɑɹti ˌæpɚˈætəs/
fixed phrase
formal
organizational structure of a party
The group of offices, workers, and systems that control and organize a political party.
Examples
- The party apparatus opposed his candidacy from the beginning.
- Real power lies with the party apparatus, not with local members.
- She worked her way up through the party apparatus over two decades.
state apparatus
1/stˈeɪt ˌæpɚˈætəs/
fixed phrase
formal
institutions of a government
All the main offices, forces, and systems that a government uses to control and run a country.
Examples
- The state apparatus was used to silence political opposition.
- Reforming the state apparatus will take many years.
- Many citizens feel disconnected from the distant state apparatus.