The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Equipment \E*quip"ment\, n. [Cf. F. ['e]quipement. See Equip.]
   1. The act of equipping, or the state of being equipped, as
      for a voyage or expedition. --Burke.
      [1913 Webster]

            The equipment of the fleet was hastened by De Witt.
                                                  --Hume.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Whatever is used in equipping; necessaries for an
      expedition or voyage; the collective designation for the
      articles comprising an outfit; equipage; as, a railroad
      equipment (locomotives, cars, etc.; for carrying on
      business); horse equipments; infantry equipments; naval
      equipments; laboratory equipments.
      [1913 Webster]

            Armed and dight,
            In the equipments of a knight.        --Longfellow.
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

equipment
    n 1: an instrumentality needed for an undertaking or to perform
         a service