gizmo

Or gis·mo

[giz-moh]

noun

Informal.

plural

gizmos 

1. a gadget or device.

   What is this gizmo supposed to do?

gizmo

/ ˈɡɪzməʊ /

noun

1. slang,  a device; gadget

Word History and Origins

Origin of gizmo¹

First recorded in 1940–45; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of gizmo¹

C20: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

And while claw gizmos and plastic figurines aren’t my thing, I understand their popularity and wouldn’t mind their presence if there was a greater supply of old-school games, and perhaps some pinball machines.

From Los Angeles Times

There have been high-intensity sessions on a vertical cardio climber - a full-body workout gizmo which developers say is "one of the most effective and efficient ways of burning fat and calories".

From BBC

Mobile phones, cameras and other electronic gizmos surrendered, we squeezed along narrow corridors and down stairwells, including a bit of the building that was Henry VIII's tennis court.

From BBC

Comedy and tragedy customarily share space in “Star Trek” — “Section 31” begins with a quote from Aeschylus and includes an extended discussion over whether the gizmo they’re after is called “Godsend” or “God’s End.”

From Los Angeles Times

One by one, the satellites – each of them encrusted with a hodge-podge of solar panels and other gizmos – detached from their mothership.

From BBC

Related Words

• appliance 
• contraption 
• device 
• instrument 
• tool 
• widget