equipment

noun

equip·​ment i-ˈkwip-mənt 

1

a

: the set of articles or physical resources serving to equip a person or thing: such as

(1)

: the implements used in an operation or activity : apparatus

sports equipment

(2)

: all the fixed assets other than land and buildings of a business enterprise

(3)

: the rolling stock of a railway

b

: a piece of such equipment

2

a

: the equipping of a person or thing

b

: the state of being equipped

3

: mental or emotional traits or resources : endowment

Synonyms of equipment

• gear
• apparatus
• facilities
• stuff
• kit
• hardware
• material(s)

Examples of equipment in a Sentence

The photographer came early to set up his equipment.

I'm looking for a hobby that doesn't require a lot of fancy equipment.

an expensive piece of medical equipment

Not enough funds were provided for the equipment of the troops.

Recent Examples on the Web

Turek became a politician four years ago after a long career in helping Medicaid patients navigate the system to obtain durable medical equipment, such as wheelchairs. — Gabrielle M. Etzel, The Washington Examiner, 8 Oct. 2026

There's a signature spa with four treatment rooms and two steam rooms, state-of-the-art fitness center with Peloton and TechnoGym equipment, rooftop pool. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026

About 28 volunteers, including chainsaw and heavy equipment operators, are targeting trees considered dangerous at Scouting America's Camp Tahquitz. — Joy Benedict, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026

Four different Breville espresso machines are on sale, some hundreds of dollars off, as is Fellow's lineup of brewing equipment, which includes senior editor Noah Kaufman's top picks in three different categories. — Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 7 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing equipment

• original equipment manufacturer
• personal protection equipment
• personal protective equipment
• re-equipment

Rhymes for equipment

• transhipment
• transshipment
• shipment

Kids Definition

equipment

noun

equip·​ment i-ˈkwip-mənt 

1

a

: the act of equipping a person or thing

b

: the state of being equipped

2

: the articles serving to equip a person or thing

Legal Definition

equipment

noun

equip·​ment

: the implements used in an operation or activity

specifically, in the Uniform Commercial Code : goods that are not inventory, farm products, or consumer goods

Note: This definition, found in Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code, applies to other Code articles as well.