contraption

American  

[kuhn-trap-shuhn] / kənˈtræp ʃən /

noun

1. a mechanical contrivance; gadget; device.

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contraption British  

/ kənˈtræpʃən /

noun

1. informal a device or contrivance, esp one considered strange, unnecessarily intricate, or improvised

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Other Word Forms

• contraptious adjective

Etymology

Origin of contraption

First recorded in 1815–25; perhaps contr(ivance) + (ad)aption, variant of adaptation

Example Sentences

Step closer and you hear the contraption appearing to breathe, a tinkling sound like wind chimes emanating from the cooling mechanism that keeps its innards colder than outer space.

From Barron's

Sensors on the 12-foot metal contraptions measure wind speed, direction, temperature, humidity and pressure.

From The Wall Street Journal

The object of Mouse Trap, a board game featuring a Rube Goldberg-style contraption, is to catch plastic mice.

From The Wall Street Journal

The combined contraption will fit in most overhead compartments, but the compact size requires some sacrifices.

From The Wall Street Journal

The superstar actor occasionally joined the huddle of people trying to troubleshoot with the contraption.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• appliance
• contrivance
• gadget
• gizmo
• rig