machine
B1Neutral
Definition
Meaning
A device using mechanical power and having several parts, designed to perform a particular task.
An efficient or rigidly controlled system or structure, or a person who acts mechanically or without emotion.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The primary sense is concrete and technical, but extended senses ('political machine', 'coffee machine') are common. The verb form often implies mechanical, impersonal production.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling differs for derivatives: 'machining' (BrE/AmE), 'machinist' (BrE/AmE). No major differences in meaning or usage for the noun.
Connotations
Slightly more likely to be associated with industrial contexts in BrE historically. Both use 'machine' figuratively ('bureaucratic machine').
Frequency
Very high frequency in both variants, with near-identical ranking.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[verb] + machine: operate/use/start/stop/maintain a machinemachine + [verb]: The machine whirred/broke down/hummedVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “cog in the machine”
- “well-oiled machine”
- “make a machine gun sound”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to capital equipment, automation, or efficient systems ('The sales machine is performing well').
Academic
Used in engineering, computing ('Turing machine'), sociology ('state machine'), and biology ('molecular machine').
Everyday
Commonly refers to household appliances and electronic devices.
Technical
Precise engineering device with interacting components for force transmission and work.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The factory will machine the parts to a tolerance of 0.01mm.
- They had to machine a new component from solid steel.
American English
- The shop will machine the piston to exact specifications.
- We need to machine this block of aluminum into a bracket.
adjective
British English
- The machine shop was full of lathes.
- He has a very machine-like efficiency.
American English
- She works as a machine operator.
- The process was cold and machine-like.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I put the clothes in the washing machine.
- This is a coffee machine.
- The machine stopped working, so we called a technician.
- He operates a large drilling machine.
- The political machine mobilised thousands of voters for the election.
- New software can turn this computer into a powerful design machine.
- The bureaucracy functioned with the relentless efficiency of a machine.
- They machined the titanium component using a five-axis CNC mill.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a washing MACHINE - 'MA'king 'CH'othes 'INE'xhaustibly clean.
Conceptual Metaphor
ORGANIZATION IS A MACHINE ('The department runs like a well-oiled machine'), PEOPLE ARE MACHINES ('He's a fitness machine').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation for abstract 'apparatus' (e.g., 'state apparatus' is 'государственный аппарат', not '*state machine').
- 'Машина' in Russian often means 'car', but 'machine' in English does not.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing 'machinery' (uncountable, collective) with 'machine' (countable).
- Using 'machine' for simple hand tools (e.g., a hammer is not a machine).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT a typical collocation with 'machine'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it extends to abstract systems (e.g., 'party machine') and computing ('virtual machine').
'Machine' is countable (a specific device). 'Machinery' is uncountable, referring to machines collectively or as a concept.
Yes, it means to shape or work on something with a machine tool, especially in manufacturing.
Not exactly. An engine is a specific type of machine that converts energy into motion. Not all machines are engines.
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