The term "machine ages" refers to a time period in history when machine power and industrialization played a significant role in shaping society and the economy. Some synonyms for this term might include the Industrial Age, the age of automation, the mechanical era, the technological revolution, or the age of machinery. These terms emphasize the importance of machines and technology in shaping the world, and the profound impact they had on everything from manufacturing to transportation to communication. While the machine age is often associated with progress and innovation, it also had its downsides, including labor exploitation, environmental degradation, and social upheaval.