appliance

American  

[uh-plahy-uhns] / əˈplaɪ əns /

noun

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

• reappliance noun

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

They added only one notable appliance to their kitchen: a giant pot for rice, large enough to meal-prep a week’s worth of carbs in one batch.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

"The fire has now been extinguished however one fire appliance remains on scene to dampen down any hotspots."

From BBC • Mar. 6, 2026

Whirlpool sank 8.8% after the home appliance company announced public offerings of common stock and depositary shares.

From Barron's • Feb. 24, 2026

Other products, potentially factory machinery, appliance parts that contain additional metals, such as copper, and other intermediate goods, could receive a 25% tariff.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 13, 2026

For days, department stores, electrical appliance stores, the Sherman Clay piano store, even the jewelry store Weisfield & Goldberg had been doing a land-office business selling new Philco 61F Olympic Special cabinet radios.

From "The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics" by Daniel James Brown

Related Words

• device
• gadget
• instrument
• tool