Machine vs. Appliance — What's the Difference?

A piece of equipment built to perform specific actions.

A household machine running on electricity.

A device for performing a task.

A device that performs domestic or commercial functions.

An apparatus that facilitates enhanced physical processes.

An implement that simplifies routine tasks.

A system using mechanical power.

A tool specialized for convenience in homes or businesses.

A contraption that aids in transferring energy from one form to another.

A machine that operates with user-friendly interfaces.

A machine is any physical system with ordered structural and functional properties. It may represent human-made or naturally occurring device molecular machine that uses power to apply forces and control movement to perform an action.

A device or piece of equipment designed to perform a specific task

A device consisting of fixed and moving parts that redirects mechanical energy to accomplish a particular task or set of tasks.

A fire engine

See simple machine.

The action or process of bringing something into operation

See compound machine.

A device or instrument designed to perform a specific function, especially an electrical device, such as a toaster, for household use

A system or device for doing work, as an automobile or jackhammer, together with its power source and auxiliary equipment.

A dental or surgical device designed to perform a therapeutic or corrective function.

A system or device, such as a computer, that performs or assists in the performance of a human task

An implement, an instrument or apparatus designed (or at least used) as a means to a specific end, especially:

An intricate natural system or organism, such as the human body.

A non-manual apparatus or device, powered electrically or by another small motor, used in homes to perform domestic functions (household appliance) and/or in offices.

A person who acts in a rigid, mechanical, or unconscious manner.

An attachment, a piece of equipment to adapt another tool or machine to a specific purpose.

An organized group of people whose members are or appear to be under the control of one or more leaders

(obsolete) The act of applying.

A device used to produce a stage effect, especially a mechanical means of lowering an actor onto the stage.

(obsolete) A means of eliminating or counteracting something undesirable, especially an illness.

A literary device used to produce an effect, especially the introduction of a supernatural being to resolve a plot.

Willing service, willingness to act as someone wishes.

An answering machine

The act of applying; application.

Of, relating to, or felt to resemble a machine

Subservience; compliance.

To cut, shape, or finish by machine.

A thing applied or used as a means to an end; an apparatus or device; as, to use various appliances; a mechanical appliance; a machine with its appliances.

To be cut, shaped, or finished by machine

An apparatus or device, usually powered electrically, used in homes to perform domestic functions. An appliance is often categorized as a major appliance or a minor appliance by its cost. Common major appliances are the refrigerator, washing machine, clothes drier, oven, and dishwasher. Some minor appliances are a toaster, vacuum cleaner or microwave oven.

A device that directs and controls energy, often in the form of movement or electricity, to produce a certain effect.

A device that is very useful for a particular job

(dated) A vehicle operated mechanically, such as an automobile or an airplane.

Durable goods for home or office use

An answering machine or, by extension, voice mail.

(computing) A computer.

(figuratively) A person or organisation that seemingly acts like a machine, being particularly efficient, single-minded, or unemotional.

Especially, the group that controls a political or similar organization; a combination of persons acting together for a common purpose, with the agencies which they use.

(poetry) Supernatural agency in a poem, or a superhuman being introduced to perform some exploit.

The system of special interest groups that supports a political party, especially in urban areas.

(historical) A contrivance in the Ancient Greek theatre for indicating a change of scene, by means of which a god might cross the stage or deliver a divine message; the deus ex machina.

(obsolete) A bathing machine.

To make by machinery.

To shape or finish by machinery; (usually, more specifically) to shape subtractively by metal-cutting with machine-controlled toolpaths.

In general, any combination of bodies so connected that their relative motions are constrained, and by means of which force and motion may be transmitted and modified, as a screw and its nut, or a lever arranged to turn about a fulcrum or a pulley about its pivot, etc.; especially, a construction, more or less complex, consisting of a combination of moving parts, or simple mechanical elements, as wheels, levers, cams, etc., with their supports and connecting framework, calculated to constitute a prime mover, or to receive force and motion from a prime mover or from another machine, and transmit, modify, and apply them to the production of some desired mechanical effect or work, as weaving by a loom, or the excitation of electricity by an electrical machine.

Any mechanical contrivance, as the wooden horse with which the Greeks entered Troy; a coach; a bicycle.

A person who acts mechanically or at the will of another.

A combination of persons acting together for a common purpose, with the agencies which they use; as, the social machine.

A political organization arranged and controlled by one or more leaders for selfish, private or partisan ends; the Tammany machine.

Supernatural agency in a poem, or a superhuman being introduced to perform some exploit.

To subject to the action of machinery; to make, cut, shape, or modify with a machine; to effect by aid of machinery; to print with a printing machine.

Any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks

An intricate organization that accomplishes its goals efficiently;

An efficient person;

4-wheeled motor vehicle; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine;

A group that controls the activities of a political party;

A device for overcoming resistance at one point by applying force at some other point

Turn, shape, mold, or otherwise finish by machinery

Make by machinery;

A machine is any device that utilizes energy to perform a specific function.

No, not all machines are appliances; appliances are a specific subset that are usually electric and used in domestic settings.

An appliance is a machine designed specifically for routine household or commercial tasks.

No, appliances include devices used throughout the home and in commercial settings, like washers, dryers, and air conditioners.

Generally, machines require more complex and frequent maintenance.

Yes, many modern appliances can be integrated into smart home systems for enhanced functionality.

Industrial robots, manufacturing equipment, and vehicles like cars and airplanes.

Most modern appliances require electricity, though some may use gas or battery power.

Machines use various energy sources, including manual and hydraulic, while appliances predominantly use electricity.

Machines perform a broad range of tasks, often industrial, while appliances focus on easing routine tasks.

Appliances are designed for consumer use, emphasizing simplicity and convenience.