Engineering English
Machining
Manufacturing Engineering · Last updated: July 30, 2026 · How this entry was written
Definition: A group of subtractive manufacturing processes in which unwanted material is progressively removed from a solid workpiece by a hard cutting tool to reach the required shape, size and surface quality. It covers operations such as turning, milling, drilling and grinding.
Example in context
“The workshop quoted a longer lead time because machining the titanium bracket required slower speeds and frequent tool changes.”
“Atölye, titanyum bağlantı parçasının talaşlı imalatı daha düşük hızlar ve sık takım değişimi gerektirdiği için daha uzun bir teslim süresi verdi.”
Where engineers use it
Machining is met in job shops, tool rooms and production plants whenever a part needs tight tolerances that casting or forming cannot deliver. Engineers use it to plan process routes, estimate cycle times and cost, and specify which surfaces must be cut rather than formed.
Synonyms: Metal cutting, Chip removal machining
Antonyms: Additive manufacturing
Practice: can you use “Machining” at work?
A trainee receives a drawing of a cast housing and must decide which surfaces require machining, justify the choice against the stated tolerances, and outline a suitable operation sequence.
Show a model answer
“Machining removes material from the blank until the part reaches its final dimensions.”
“Machining” in 21 languages
| English | Machining |
|---|---|
| Turkish | Talaşlı imalat |
| French | Usinage |
| German | Zerspanung |
| Spanish | Mecanizado |
| Chinese | 机械加工 |
| Arabic | التشغيل الآلي |
| Portuguese | Usinagem |
| Russian | Механическая обработка |
| Japanese | 機械加工 |
| Italian | Lavorazione meccanica |
| Vietnamese | Gia công cắt gọt |
| Hindi | मशीनिंग |
| Thai | การขึ้นรูปด้วยเครื่องจักรกล |
| Indonesian | Permesinan |
| Korean | 절삭 가공 |
| Bengali | মেশিনিং |
| Dutch | Verspaning |
| Swedish | Skärande bearbetning |
| Finnish | Lastuava työstö |
| Ukrainian | Механічна обробка |
Frequently asked questions
What does Machining mean in engineering?
A group of subtractive manufacturing processes in which unwanted material is progressively removed from a solid workpiece by a hard cutting tool to reach the required shape, size and surface quality. It covers operations such as turning, milling, drilling and grinding. In Manufacturing Engineering, the term carries a usage-frequency rating of 10/10 in the Engineering English library.
How do you pronounce Machining?
Machining is pronounced /məˈʃiːnɪŋ/ (IPA). The Engineering English app plays audio for the term and checks your pronunciation with speech recognition.
How is Machining used in a sentence?
Example from an engineering context: “The workshop quoted a longer lead time because machining the titanium bracket required slower speeds and frequent tool changes.”
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