The phrase "machine age" refers to the period of time from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century, characterized by rapid industrialization and the widespread use of machines in production. Synonyms for the term include "industrial age," "mechanical age," "age of automation," and "age of machinery." These terms all convey the sense of a time when machines and technology played an increasingly significant role in society, transforming the way things were produced, manufactured, and consumed. The machine age represented a major shift in human history, marking the beginning of a new era of innovation and progress that continues to shape our world today.