device

[ dih-vahys ]

/ dɪˈvaɪs /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR device ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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

a plan or scheme for effecting a purpose.

a crafty scheme; trick.

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.

a mobile device: Students may not bring devices into the secure testing center. Don't leave your devices in a hot car.

something elaborately or fancifully designed.

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

a motto.

Archaic. devising; invention.

Nearby words

deviant, deviate, deviation, deviationism, devic's disease, device, devil, devil and deep blue sea, devil dog, devil of a, devil ray

Origin of device

1375–1425; blend of late Middle English devis division, discourse and devise heraldic device, will; both < Anglo-French, Old French < Latin dīvīsa, feminine of dīvīsus; see division

SYNONYMS FOR device

1 gadget.

2 project, design.

3 wile, ruse, artifice, stratagem, maneuver.

8 slogan, legend.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR device ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

de·vice·ful, adjectivede·vice·ful·ly, adverbde·vice·ful·ness, noun

Can be confused

device devise

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for device

Employees strap a device to their heads and power a helicopter drone with their minds.
Use Your Brain—Control a Drone|The Daily Beast Video|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
In that case the device was to put the genius in opposition to a majority of established cultural tastes and codes.
Why Can’t Movies Capture Genius?|Clive Irving|December 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Once a month he attaches a device to his chest, clamps metal bracelets on his wrists, and hooks the whole thing up to a telephone.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days|David Freeman|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Paul has consistently used Benghazi as a device to stake out high ground on foreign policy.
Rand Paul Won’t Let Benghazi Die|Olivia Nuzzi|December 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Now you can scroll to the next direction on your recipe without getting batter or sauce all over your device.
The Daily Beast’s 2014 Holiday Gift Guide: For the Richard Hendriks in Your Life|Allison McNearney|November 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And now, Mr. Jason, your device being accomplished, I suppose I may bid you good-night?
Sport Royal|Anthony Hope
I must get a toy to-morrow for Eliza, and send the device for the seals of myself and ——.
The Love Affairs of Lord Byron|Francis Henry Gribble
Among the very earliest of these attempts of which we have detailed information is the device of Wilars de Honecort.
Perpetual Motion|Percy Verance
There is no wisdom, no device in the dust, any more than there is warmth in the dust.
The Eagle's Nest|John Ruskin
The device suggested by Sarah was so common that the wonder is that it had not long before been tried.
The Expositor's Bible: The Book of Genesis|Marcus Dods

British Dictionary definitions for device

device

/ (dɪˈvaɪs) /

noun

a machine or tool used for a specific task; contrivance

euphemistic a bomb

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

any ornamental pattern or picture, as in embroidery

computer hardware that is designed for a specific function

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

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

archaic the act or process of planning or devising

leave someone to his own devices to leave someone alone to do as he wishes

Word Origin for device

C13: from Old French devis purpose, contrivance and devise difference, intention, from deviser to divide, control; see devise

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for device

device

[ dĭ-vīs′ ]

n.

A contrivance or an invention serving a particular purpose, especially a machine used to perform one or more relatively simple tasks.

Idioms and Phrases with device

device

see leave to someone's own devices.