ap•par•atusBrE /ˌæpəˈreɪtəs/
NAmE /ˌæpəˈrætəs/
noun
word origin
early 17th cent.: from Latin, from apparare ‘make ready for’, from ad- ‘towards’ + parare ‘make ready’.
synonyms
equipmentmaterial 
gear kit apparatusThese are all words for the things that you need for a particular purpose or activity.
equipment the things that are needed for a particular purpose or activity: camping equipment ◇ a piece of equipment material things that are needed for a particular activity: household cleaning materials ◇ teaching materialequipment or material?Equipment is usually solid things, especially large ones. Materials may be liquids, powders or books, CDs, etc. containing information, as well as small solid items. gear the equipment or clothes needed for a particular activity: Skiing gear can be expensive. kit a set of tools or equipment that you use for a particular purpose: a first-aid kit ◇ a tool kit apparatus the tools or other pieces of equipment that are needed for a particular activity or task: breathing apparatus for firefighters ◇ laboratory apparatus
Apparatus is used especially for scientific, medical or technical purposes.electrical/electronic equipment/gear/apparatussports equipment/gear/kitcamping equipment/geara piece of equipment/apparatus 
example bank
the state's powerful security apparatusIt's a highly sophisticated piece of laboratory apparatus.Science departments say they are lacking basic apparatus.The firefighters had to use breathing apparatus.Under the new system there was to be no all-powerful central state apparatus.We cannot do without the apparatus of government in protecting the rights of the individual.
