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

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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

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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

Any car a participant owns or drives must have a device.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 2, 2026

And while that makes them easier to control remotely, in theory, any device which goes online can potentially be exploited by malicious actors.

From BBC ● Nov. 2, 2026

Their next objective is to turn the experimental implant into a medical device suitable for further development and eventual clinical testing.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 2, 2026

Shipping dates jumped out to January soon after the device went on sale, a disappointment for the normally reliable Apple supply chain.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 2, 2026

Usually, anyone working near radiation would be required to carry this potentially lifesaving device.

From "Meltdown" by Deirdre Langeland

Cohen pointed out that revenue from China, wearables and home devices all came in lower than analysts were expecting.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 3, 2026

Since April 2024, UK law has required manufacturers of certain consumer smart devices to meet minimum cyber security standards, including requirements around passwords and security updates.

From BBC ● Nov. 2, 2026

Apple needs to give people reasons to buy its devices as they get more expensive.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 2, 2026

This refers to networks of devices that exchange information and respond automatically to changing conditions.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 2, 2026

There’s not enough time left in the year to get anything in the kiln, so those of us who bothered to show up to ceramics at all have been left to our own devices.

From "Starfish" by Akemi Dawn Bowman

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Related Words

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

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