device
Americannoun
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devices
plural
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a thing made for a particular purpose; an invention or contrivance, especially a mechanical or electrical one.
- Synonyms:
- gadget
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a plan or scheme for effecting a purpose.
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a crafty scheme; trick.
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a particular word pattern, figure of speech, combination of word sounds, etc., used in a literary work to evoke a desired effect or arouse a desired reaction in the reader.
rhetorical devices.
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Students may not bring devices into the secure testing center.
Don't leave your devices in a hot car.
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something elaborately or fancifully designed.
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a representation or design used as a heraldic charge or as an emblem, badge, trademark, or the like.
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a motto.
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Archaic. devising; invention.
noun
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a machine or tool used for a specific task; contrivance
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euphemistic a bomb
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a plan or plot, esp a clever or evil one; scheme; trick
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any ornamental pattern or picture, as in embroidery
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computer hardware that is designed for a specific function
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a written, printed, or painted design or figure, used as a heraldic sign, emblem, trademark, etc
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a particular pattern of words, figures of speech, etc, used in literature to produce an effect on the reader
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archaic the act or process of planning or devising
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to leave someone alone to do as he wishes
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of device
First recorded in 1375–1425; blend of late Middle English devis “discourse, division” and devise “heraldic device, will,” both from Anglo-French, Old French, from Latin dīvīsa, feminine of dīvīsus “divided, separated”; see divisible
Explanation
A device is really anything that has a specific use. It might be a tool or object, or a plan that is devised to accomplish something. If it has a purpose, it is a device. A device is a noun that can be used to describe anything, simple or complex, that is used for a specific purpose. You might have one device for opening bottles, and another for opening cans. You probably even have a device for turning on your TV. While these have specific names (bottle opener, can opener, remote), you can cover each with the generic term device. We can see its root in the Old French word devis, which meant “purpose” or “contrivance.”
Vocabulary lists containing device
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
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TEKS ELAR Academic Vocabulary List (5th-7th grades)
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The Ingenious Lexicon of Invention
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Authorities were looking into whether it was a live device, local reports said then, with police commissioner David Manning describing it as "a very concerning discovery".
From BBC ● Nov. 4, 2026
Fenty Beauty teamed up with device accessory brand Casetify on a phone case that also holds lip gloss and blotting powder.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 3, 2026
Dutch electronics and medical device manufacturer Philips said Tuesday it had reached a deal "in principle" with US authorities to settle a long-running case over faulty sleep machines.
From Barron's ● Nov. 3, 2026
"It's challenging, the device we have is not designed to this particular purpose," he said.
From BBC ● Nov. 3, 2026
I expect Dad to pry the device from her hands, but his legs collapse from under him.
From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller
The hacks were a tangible reminder of the rapidly evolving threat of cyberattacks in the era of artificial intelligence and internet-connected devices.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 4, 2026
It wasn’t the first warning about Danfoss devices.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 4, 2026
Replacing the three original devices together was necessary to reduce electricity consumption while preserving the proper distribution of heat throughout Voyager 1.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 3, 2026
Cohen pointed out that revenue from China, wearables and home devices all came in lower than analysts were expecting.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 3, 2026
"And put tracking devices on them. Gosh, I don't know what I'd do."
From "The Sky at Our Feet" by Nadia Hashimi
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
