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

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Etymology

Origin of appliance

First recorded in 1555–65; apply + -ance

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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

The appliance maker cut full year revenue guidance.

From Barron's ● Oct. 26, 2026

"If you're using a hot appliance, let the heat into the room," says Lianne Macfarlane, 40, from Cheshire.

From BBC ● Oct. 23, 2026

It was inside that kitchen that the boxing champion filmed commercials promoting his namesake grill, the kitchen appliance that helped turn him into a household name beyond the world of sports.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 21, 2026

This week at the international home appliance exhibition IFA 2026 in Berlin, appliance maker Miele unveiled a smart dishwasher.

From Slate ● Sep. 14, 2026

I say, “David, no way. The last thing we need is you pulling apart another kitchen appliance and turning it into some robo chef.”

From "A Place at the Table" by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan

A 400-watt panel could power a normal-size refrigerator, or most of the other appliances running in an apartment apart from a refrigerator, such as laptops, lamps and a television, Scherer said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 27, 2026

Sean Cayford, a firefighter in Bridgend, said crews were told in mid August that there were no pumps or fire appliances available across the brigade's entire region.

From BBC ● Oct. 21, 2026

Nearby, the kitchen features custom wood cabinetry, high-end appliances, and a spacious countertop with bar seating.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 15, 2026

Unrecognized guests can ask basic questions about the weather and control nonsecurity smart appliances such as smart lights and thermostats.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 13, 2026

The hills were enormous mounds of old cars, appliances, and other scrap metal.

From "The Titan's Curse" by Rick Riordan

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Related Words

• device
• gadget
• instrument
• tool

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