capital equipment

USAGE SUMMARY

"capital equipment" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to items such as machinery and technology that a business uses to produce goods and services. Example: Our company is investing in updated capital equipment in order to keep up with the changing market.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This should encourage firms to upgrade their capital equipment.

The Economist

Maybe they will invest in labour-augmenting capital equipment.

The Economist

There is an overinventory of capital equipment out there.

The New York Times

And we like Applied Materials in the capital equipment area.

The New York Times

You needed hundreds of small companies supplying capital equipment to the big ones.

The New Yorker

He will provide capital, equipment and training, while the claimants will provide the land.

The Economist

You hire less, and you try to find capital equipment to replace them".

The New York Times

It is a formidable exporter of aerospace machinery, capital equipment and medical technology.

The Economist

They are reluctant to invest in expensive capital equipment, for one.

The New York Times

Today, economists recognize that obsolescence is far more important in determining the value of capital equipment.

The New York Times

That's without massive investment in innovation and capital equipment and automation in factories.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing investments or expenditures, use "capital equipment" to clearly indicate investments in long-term assets that enhance production or operational capacity.

Common error

Avoid using "capital equipment" to refer to short-term supplies or consumables. "Capital equipment" denotes long-lasting assets, whereas consumables are used up quickly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "capital equipment" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI suggests, it refers to assets used by an organization to produce goods or services. For example, "Firms upgrade their capital equipment."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "capital equipment" is a common and correct term, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, referring to durable assets used in production or service delivery. Its usage spans news, science, and business contexts, highlighting its relevance in economic and operational discussions. To use it effectively, remember that it denotes long-term investments rather than short-term consumables. As evidenced by the multitude of real-world examples found through Ludwig, this term is a standard part of professional and economic vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

plant and machinery

A traditional accounting term referring to the tangible, long-term assets used in a business's operations, similar to "capital equipment".

fixed assets

Refers to assets that are not easily converted into cash, like buildings or machinery, similar to "capital equipment" but broader.

production machinery

Specifically highlights the machinery used in the production process, a subset of "capital equipment".

heavy machinery

Specifies machinery that is large and often used in construction or heavy industry, a particular kind of "capital equipment".

industrial machinery

Focuses on equipment used in industrial settings, a specific type of "capital equipment".

manufacturing equipment

Emphasizes equipment used in the manufacturing industry, a more specific application of "capital equipment".

long-term assets

A broader accounting term that includes "capital equipment" but also covers other assets with a lifespan of more than one year.

business assets

A more general term referring to anything of value owned by a business, including "capital equipment".

company infrastructure

Encompasses all the basic physical and organizational structures needed for a business to operate, including "capital equipment".

durable goods

Goods not for immediate consumption and able to withstand wear, though this category is broader than "capital equipment" and includes consumer goods.

FAQs

How can I use "capital equipment" in a sentence?

You can use "capital equipment" to describe significant investments a company makes. For example, "The company invested heavily in new "capital equipment" to increase production capacity."

What's a simpler term for "capital equipment"?

While "capital equipment" is quite specific, "machinery" or "industrial machinery" can sometimes be used as simpler, though less precise, alternatives depending on the context. Keep in mind that "capital equipment" encompasses more than just machinery.

Is "capital equipment" considered an expense or an asset?

Capital equipment is considered an asset on a company's balance sheet because it provides long-term value. Its cost is typically depreciated over its useful life.

What's the difference between "capital equipment" and "operating expenses"?

"Capital equipment" refers to assets providing long-term benefit, while "operating expenses" are costs incurred in the day-to-day operations of a business. Capital equipment is a one-time investment while operating expenses are recurring.