appliance

American  

[uh-plahy-uhns] / əˈplaɪ əns /

noun

• appliances
  plural

1. an instrument, apparatus, or device for a particular purpose or use.

2. a piece of equipment, usually operated electrically, especially for use in the home or for performance of domestic chores, as a refrigerator, washing machine, or toaster.

3. the act of applying; application.

4. Archaic. a measure; stratagem.

5. Obsolete. compliance.

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verb (used with object)

applianced, appliancing

1. to equip with appliances.

   a fully applianced kitchen.

appliance British  

/ əˈplaɪəns /

noun

1. a machine or device, esp an electrical one used domestically

2. any piece of equipment having a specific function

3. a device fitted to a machine or tool to adapt it for a specific purpose

4. another name for a fire engine

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• reappliance
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• appliances
  plural

Etymology

Origin of appliance

First recorded in 1555–65; apply + -ance

Explanation

An appliance is a tool or device that performs a certain job. Your toaster is an appliance, and so is your dishwasher. Your dog? Not so much. Most modern homes are full of appliances that perform various useful tasks — or help you perform them. A hairdryer is an appliance that dries your hair, and a television is an appliance that offers hours of mindless entertainment. The earliest meaning of the word was "action of putting into use," from the verb apply, with its Latin root, applicare, which figuratively means "devote oneself to" or "give attention."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

appliance appliances

An appliance that melted rests on a counter in D&P Green, a pine resin distillery destroyed by the wildfire Le Porge.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 30, 2026

But Bitzer said the deal gave Whirlpool a new appliance to pair with dishwashers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026

You can buy one for just one room or you can get multiple indoor units to work with a single outdoor condenser, according to LG, the household appliance and white goods retailer.

From BBC ● Jul. 9, 2026

It's important women have the option to enter the profession, said Yang Mengchen, who leads another all-women repair and appliance cleaning team.

From Barron's ● Jul. 8, 2026

The wheezing old appliance, without light, looked as though the inside panels were ready to fall.

From "Warriors Don't Cry: A Searing Memoir of the Battle to Integrate Little Rock's Central High" by Melba Pattillo Beals

The kitchen is surely the crown jewel of the home thanks to its blue cabinets and state-of-the-art appliances.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 2, 2026

Humphrey recommended additional cleanup, including replacement of the Moores’ appliances and the heating and air conditioning system.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 1, 2026

For now, Carney's planned Canadian retaliatory duties are strategic "dollar-for-dollar" countermeasures focused on steel, dairy, appliances, agricultural equipment, electronics, pulp and paper - though the list is still being finalised.

From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026

Canada, he added, would slap dollar-for-dollar countertariffs on U.S. goods such as steel, dairy and appliances on Sept. 8, the day after Labor Day.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 24, 2026

One station had modern stainless-steel appliances that reflected light and sparkled like a still lake under stars.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Related Words

• device
• gadget
• instrument
• tool