Instrument vs. Machine — What's the Difference?

A tool or device designed for precision work or measurement.

An apparatus using mechanical power to perform a task.

A means by which something is achieved.

A person who behaves in a mechanical or unemotional manner.

A device that produces musical sound.

An organization or system that has been established for a particular purpose.

A formal legal document.

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 tool or implement used in surgery.

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

A tool or implement used to do or facilitate work, especially a small precision tool used by a professional

See simple machine.

A device for recording, measuring, or controlling, especially such a device functioning as part of a control system.

See compound machine.

(Music) A device designed to enable a person to make musical sounds, as by blowing into it, striking it, depressing the keys on a keyboard, or plucking, strumming, or running a bow over strings.

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

A means by which something is done; an agency

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

One used by another to accomplish a purpose; a dupe.

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

A legal document, especially one that represents a right of payment or conveys an interest, such as a check, promissory note, deed, or will.

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

To provide or equip with instruments.

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

(Music) To compose or arrange for performance.

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

A device used to produce music.

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

A means or agency for achieving an effect.

An answering machine

A measuring or displaying device.

Of, relating to, or felt to resemble a machine

A tool, implement used for manipulation or measurement.

To cut, shape, or finish by machine.

Ellipsis of flight instrument

To be cut, shaped, or finished by machine

(legal) A legal document, such as a contract, deed, trust, mortgage, power, indenture, or will.

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

(figuratively) A person used as a mere tool for achieving a goal.

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

(transitive) To apply measuring devices.

An answering machine or, by extension, voice mail.

(transitive) To devise, conceive, cook up, plan.

(computing) A computer.

To perform upon an instrument; to prepare for an instrument.

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

That by means of which any work is performed, or result is effected; a tool; a utensil; an implement; a device; as, the instruments of a mechanic; astronomical instruments.

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.

A contrivance or implement, by which musical sounds are produced; as, a musical instrument.

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

A writing, as the means of giving formal expression to some act; a writing expressive of some act, contract, process, as a deed, contract, writ, etc.

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

One who, or that which, is made a means, or is caused to serve a purpose; a medium, means, or agent; as, their army was primarily an instrument of oppression.

Penis.

To perform upon an instrument; to prepare for an instrument; as, a sonata instrumented for orchestra.

(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.

To furnish or equip with instruments; to attach instruments to; as, the fighter planes were heavily instrumented; the patient was instrumented to monitor him remotely.

(obsolete) A bathing machine.

A device that requires skill for proper use

To make by machinery.

The means whereby some act is accomplished;

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

A person used by another to gain an end

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.

(law) a document that states some contractual relationship or grants some right

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

The semantic role of the entity (usually inanimate) that the agent uses to perform an action or start a process

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

Any of various devices or contrivances that can be used to produce musical tones or sounds

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

Equip with instruments for measuring, recording, or controlling

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

Write an instrumental score for

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

Address a legal document to

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 vehicle with a motor, such as an automobile or aircraft.

A device that processes data.

Not always. While both can be tools, an instrument is typically more specialized, while a machine performs work using power.

Yes, some devices can be considered both, especially with modern technology.

Instruments are typically designed for specific tasks or measurements, requiring accuracy.

Generally, devices that produce musical sound are called musical instruments.

Most machines require some power source, whether mechanical, electrical, or otherwise.

Not always. Some modern instruments operate automatically or electronically.

In some contexts, particularly in advanced technologies, the lines can blur, and a machine could be viewed as an instrument.

It's a colloquial usage, referring to vehicles as machines due to their mechanical nature and ability to perform work.

A computer can be viewed as both, but it's more commonly referred to as a machine.

Yes, some machines can be operated manually, though many utilize power.

Yes, machines can incorporate various instruments as components.

In medicine, instruments often aid in diagnosis, treatment, or surgical procedures, emphasizing precision and functionality.

Because many instruments are designed for specific measurements or tasks where accuracy is vital.

While many machines are complex, not all are. Simplicity or complexity varies based on the machine's purpose.

Yes, many electronic devices can be categorized as machines, especially if they perform tasks using power.