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:
After the van driver alerted police to the device in his van, the centre was evacuated in what was later described as a hoax bomb alert.
From BBC ● Sep. 2, 2026
This was original inventor of the device Jim Girard’s aim.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2026
Police used a robot to defuse the device near a Ukrainian cargo plane.
From Barron's ● Sep. 1, 2026
A look inside the device reveals familiar smartphone functions, but dig a little deeper and it becomes clear that the regime can monitor everything you type and watch.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026
Judge Byrne was told that a listening device on Mort Halperin’s phone had picked up several conversations with Daniel Ellsberg.
From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin
It rolled out Karma drones in an effort to expand beyond cameras — but announced a recall shortly after, when some users said the devices were losing power while in use.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 2, 2026
Police said six launching devices had been found in a field.
From BBC ● Sep. 2, 2026
The BioCharger is not suitable for people with certain medical implants or electronic devices or individuals who are breastfeeding.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2026
The main difference between the two monitoring devices is geography: The telescreens operated in homes and private spaces, while our Flock cameras keep an eye on public spaces.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 1, 2026
They’d found listening devices hidden in the walls of their Moscow apartment.
From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin
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.
