Entry 2 senses Webster, 1913 Machination /măkˌ-ən-āsh'-ən/ · Mach·i·na·tion · IPA /ˌmækɪˈneɪʃən/ 01 n. The act of machinating. 1. The act of machinating. 2. That which is devised; a device; a hostile or treacherous scheme; an artful design or plot. “Devilish machinations come to naught.” — Milton. “His ingenious machinations had failed.” — Macaulay.