A machine tool is a machine

Machine

A machine manages power to accomplish a task, examples include, a mechanical system, a computing system, an electronic system, and a molecular machine. In common usage, the meaning is that of a device having parts that perform or assist in performing any type of work...

, typically powered other than by human muscle (e.g., electrically, hydraulically, or via line shaft

Line shaft

A line shaft is a power transmission system used extensively during the Industrial Revolution. Prior to the widespread use of electric motors small enough to be connected directly to each piece of machinery, line shafting was used to distribute power from a large central power source to machinery...

), used to make manufactured parts (components) in various ways that include cutting or certain other kinds of deformation. All machine tools involve some kind of fundamental constraining and guiding of movement provided by the parts of the machine, such that the relative movement between workpiece and cutting tool

Cutting tool

In the context of machining, a cutting tool is any tool that is used to remove material from the workpiece by means of shear deformation. Cutting may be accomplished by single-point or multipoint tools. Single-point tools are used in turning, shaping, plaining and similar operations, and remove...

 (which is called the toolpath) is controlled or constrained by the machine to at least some extent, rather than being entirely "offhand" or "freehand".