gadget
Americannoun
noun
-
a small mechanical device or appliance
-
any object that is interesting for its ingenuity or novelty rather than for its practical use
Other Word Forms
- gadgety adjective
Etymology
Origin of gadget
1850–55; origin uncertain; compare French gâchette the catch of a lock, sear of a gunlock
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.
Ndedi, from Cameroon, uses her acrobatic skills for the most elaborate escapes, Cryptic is the hacker from Kenya and Congolese Fred is the getaway driver and gadget maker.
From BBC • Feb. 9, 2026
Other gadget makers are seeking used memory chips.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 17, 2026
However, gadget makers must avoid their products underperforming due to memory compromises or pushing prices up too high by paying dearly for components, warned Techsponential analyst Avi Greengart.
From Barron's • Jan. 9, 2026
That’s where the Keezel 2.0 Online Protection Device comes in so handy: this one sleek gadget protects you from everything to ransomware and hackers — and it includes a free lifelong VPN plan.
From Salon • Aug. 26, 2019
“It wasn’t the easiest gadget to work with,” Hall said later.
From "Bomb" 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.
