device

American  

[dih-vahys] / dɪˈvaɪs /

noun

• devices
  plural

1. a thing made for a particular purpose; an invention or contrivance, especially a mechanical or electrical one.

   Synonyms:

   gadget

2. a plan or scheme for effecting a purpose.

   Synonyms:

   design, project

3. a crafty scheme; trick.

   Synonyms:

   maneuver, stratagem, artifice, ruse, wile

4. 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.

5. a mobile device.

   Students may not bring devices into the secure testing center.

   Don't leave your devices in a hot car.

6. something elaborately or fancifully designed.

7. a representation or design used as a heraldic charge or as an emblem, badge, trademark, or the like.

8. a motto.

   Synonyms:

   legend, slogan

9. Archaic. devising; invention.

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device British  

/ dɪˈvaɪs /

noun

1. a machine or tool used for a specific task; contrivance

2. euphemistic a bomb

3. a plan or plot, esp a clever or evil one; scheme; trick

4. any ornamental pattern or picture, as in embroidery

5. computer hardware that is designed for a specific function

6. a written, printed, or painted design or figure, used as a heraldic sign, emblem, trademark, etc

7. a particular pattern of words, figures of speech, etc, used in literature to produce an effect on the reader

8. archaic the act or process of planning or devising

9. to leave someone alone to do as he wishes

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device Idioms  

1. see leave to someone's own devices.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• devicefulness
  noun
• deviceful
  adjective
• devicefully
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• devices
  plural

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.”

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

device devices

The device takes advantage of the wave properties of atoms to produce an interference pattern.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 18, 2026

Worse still, people don’t even recognize his device.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 17, 2026

With the device, Snap aims to offer a middle ground between VR headsets like Meta's Quest 3 and lightweight AI smart glasses offered by rivals which look more like conventional glasses.

From BBC ● Sep. 16, 2026

Rather, a school device is the only place educators can directly control the material students are exposed to.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 14, 2026

Duke knows the microchip is really a listening device.

From "Dog Squad" by Chris Grabenstein

I’m perfectly fine with one of those hand-held devices but loved the standing unit at the Hyatt Centric Times Square last week.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026

In the replies, Rupar’s followers posted photos of disability devices that are worn around the hips in order to assist people with walking.

From Salon ● Sep. 16, 2026

The researchers say structures inspired by monotiles could eventually contribute to technologies designed to manipulate light, control polarization, and support advanced optical devices.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 15, 2026

Jones' letter comes months after Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley urged the government to compel all phone companies to make stolen devices "unusable bricks".

From BBC ● Sep. 15, 2026

Now even amateurs are finding supernovae with charge-coupled devices.

From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson

Related Words

• accessory
• apparatus
• appliance
• equipment
• gadget
• gear
• machine
• material
• mechanism