machine
gb/məʃˈin/ us/məʃˈin/
A2
English
~ 800
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
Powered device for a task
A tool with moving parts that uses power to do a job.
Usage pattern:
a [type of] machine
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'machine' with 'engine'; an engine is the power source, while a machine is the whole device that does work.
Synonyms
device (A more general term for any piece of equipment, not necessarily powered.)
|
apparatus (A more formal or technical term for a complex device.)
Antonyms
manual tool (A tool operated entirely by hand without powered parts.)
Collocations
washing machine
|coffee machine
|vending machine
|sewing machine
|time machine
Themes
technology
|industry
|daily life
|science
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The factory installed a new machine to speed up production.
- She put the clothes in the washing machine.
- This coffee machine makes excellent espresso.
- The mechanic fixed the broken sewing machine.
- They imagined traveling to the past in a time machine.
Learner examples
- I use a washing machine to clean my clothes.
- The coffee machine is in the kitchen.
- We bought a new sewing machine.
- This machine helps us make bread.
- The vending machine sells snacks.
Noun
B2
entity
2
Efficiently operating organization
A group or system that works like a machine to get things done.
Usage pattern:
a political/business/military machine
Common mistake:
Learners may take this meaning literally as a physical device rather than an organization.
Synonyms
organization (A general term for a structured group, without the mechanical efficiency implication.)
|
apparatus (Often used in political contexts for established systems of power.)
Antonyms
disorganized group (A group lacking structure or efficiency.)
Collocations
political machine
|military machine
|corporate machine
Themes
politics
|business
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The political machine controlled the city for decades.
- The military machine was mobilized quickly.
- He felt like just another cog in the corporate machine.
Learner examples
- The political machine wins many elections.
- The military machine is very strong.
- She works for the corporate machine.
Verb
technical
C1
action
3
Shape using powered tool
To make or change something by cutting or shaping it with a powered tool.
Usage pattern:
to machine [material] into [shape]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'machine' (verb) with 'operate a machine'; here it means to process material, not just use equipment.
Synonyms
fabricate (A broader term for making something, not always by powered tools.)
|
mill (A specific machining process involving rotating cutting tools.)
Antonyms
handcraft (To make or shape something entirely by hand without powered tools.)
Collocations
machine parts
|machine metal
|machine components
Themes
manufacturing
|engineering
|work
|technology
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The workshop machines parts for the automotive industry.
- They machined the block of aluminum into a precise component.
- This company machines custom gears for bicycles.
Learner examples
- We machine parts for cars.
- He machined the metal into a wheel.
- They machine small parts here.
Grammar
Dictionary form
machine
IPA
GB/məʃˈin/
US/məʃˈin/
Syllables & stress
ma - chine (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (chine)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: machine
- Plural: machines
Verb
- Base: machine
- 3rd Person Singular: machines
- Present Participle: machining
- Past: machined
Word family
Forms
machines
noun
machining
verb
machined
verb
Core family
Related words
mechanically
adverb B2
mechanism
noun B1
Advanced or less common
Expressions
machine learning
1/məʃˈin lˈɚnɪŋ/
fixed phrase
technical
Computer training from data
When computers learn from information to do tasks better without being told exactly how to do them.
Examples
- Machine learning is used in many modern apps.
- She is studying machine learning at university.
political machine
1/pəlˈɪtɪkəl məʃˈin/
fixed phrase
Powerful political organization
A strong group that controls politics in an area.
Examples
- The political machine has run this city for years.
- He challenged the local political machine.
war machine
1/wˈɔɹ məʃˈin/
fixed phrase
Military power and equipment
All the soldiers and weapons a country has for war.
Examples
- The country's war machine was mobilized quickly.
- They feared the growing war machine of their neighbor.
well-oiled machine
1/wˈɛl ˈɔɪld məʃˈin/
idiom
Smoothly running system or group
A group or process that works very well and without problems.
Examples
- The event was organized like a well-oiled machine.
- The event ran like a well-oiled machine thanks to good planning.
- Our team works together like a well-oiled machine.
- Our team is now a well-oiled machine after months of practice.