equipment

English

Etymology

From equip +‎ -ment, or from French équipement.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɪˈkwɪpmənt/

• Audio (US)

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Noun

equipment (usually uncountable, plural equipments)

1. The act of equipping, or the state of being equipped, as for a voyage or expedition.
   • 1756-1761, David Hume, The History of England:

     The equipment of the fleet was therefore hastened by de Witt ; in hopes that , by striking at first a successful blow , he might inspire courage into the dismayed States

2. Any items used in equipping something or someone, for example things needed for an expedition or voyage.

   We need more gardening equipment if we want to properly landscape our yard, not just a rake and some gloves.

   The sports shop sells different kits of famous clubs, and equipment from all kind of sports.

   • 2013 July 11, Jo Confino, “How technology has stopped evolution and is destroying the world”, in The Guardian‎:

     Tompkins is considered a hero in the deep ecology movement and works hand in hand with his wife Kris, the former CEO of the outdoor clothing and equipment company Patagonia.

   • 1851, Henry Longfellow, The Golden Legend:

     Armed and dight, In the equipments of a knight.

3. (slang, humorous) The male genitalia.
   • 2018, Nicole Seymour, Bad Environmentalism, page 93:

     The segment advises the reader matter-of-factly that “the penis [of a whale] should be tucked inside the body and when needed enlarged into an erection”. At the very least, the statement sounds odd. At most, it could make human penis owners consider that their equipment might not represent the highest evolutionary ideal.

Synonyms

• gear, kit, rigging, tackle

Derived terms

Related terms

• equip

Descendants

• → German: Equipment

Translations