What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
machine
Example
The factory has many machines that help with production. [machine: noun]
Example
She programmed the machine to turn off after an hour. [machine: noun]
Example
The human body is a complex machine that performs various functions. [machine: noun]
apparatus
Example
The firefighters used their apparatus to put out the fire. [apparatus: noun]
Example
The respiratory apparatus helps us breathe. [apparatus: noun]
Example
The laboratory had a variety of apparatus for conducting experiments. [apparatus: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Machine is a more common term than apparatus and is used in a wider range of contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between machine and apparatus?
Both machine and apparatus can be used in formal or technical contexts, but apparatus is more commonly associated with scientific or technical research and may be considered more formal in those contexts.
