device
Americannoun
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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:
Even with the large metal device encircling her body for hours each day for most of her life, Lillard found a way to drive a vehicle, took up painting and cared for her beloved beagles.
From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026
She was an artist and an intellectual, McVey said, describing the detailed landscapes her sister would paint and the numerous questions she would ask her Alexa device.
From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026
Actually, it’s Stuart from an alternative universe enlisting him to restore things with the help of a malfunctioned quantum interference device created by Sheldon, Leonard and Howard.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2026
OpenAI bought that company, io Products, in 2025 to spearhead its own device development efforts.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 12, 2026
Twelve days later, on the evening of July 26, the men were ready to try the device on Garfield.
From "Ambushed!" by Gail Jarrow
The less expensive glasses are meant to help Meta get its devices into the hands of as many people as possible.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026
Jones has seen plenty of scorched devices in her 14 years running iPad Rehab Microsoldering repair service.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 13, 2026
Domestic abuse charity Refuge is calling for tougher regulation of hidden surveillance devices and better police training to identify and investigate their use.
From BBC ● Jul. 13, 2026
"The app comes pre-installed on all mobile devices sold in Russia and includes extensive surveillance features," the EU said.
From Barron's ● Jul. 13, 2026
They were quaint devices that belonged to the nineteenth century.
From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan
Definitions 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.
