A conference committee is a temporary joint committee formed to resolve differences between competing House and Senate versions of a measure. Conference committees draft compromises between the positions of the two chambers, which are then submitted to the full House and Senate for approval.
2. variable noun. Apparatus is the equipment, such as tools and machines, which is used to do a particular job or activity. One of the boys had to be rescued by firemen wearing breathing apparatus. Synonyms: equipment, machine, tackle, gear More Synonyms of apparatus. Word Frequency.
n, pl -ratus or -ratuses. 1. (General Engineering) a collection of instruments, machines, tools, parts, or other equipment used for a particular purpose. 2. (General Engineering) a machine having a specific function: breathing apparatus. 3. the means by which something operates; organization: the apparatus of government. 4. (Anatomy) anatomy any group of organs having a specific function.