mobile device

American

noun

Digital Technology.

a portable, wireless computing device that is small enough to be used while held in the hand; a handheld.

a large selection of smartphones, PDAs, and other mobile devices.

Etymology

Origin of mobile device

First recorded in 1985–90

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.

“You can fit a much better model on a phone. That’s a big deal. Of course on your phone or a mobile device, energy consumption is a very, very big deal,” Khosla said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

Google, along with Apple, also faces an investigation to determine whether it will be given SMS designation for dominance in the mobile device market.

From Barron's • Oct. 10, 2025

Google's Chromecast devices plug into TVs and allow users to stream content like web video and music wirelessly using a mobile device or laptop.

From BBC • Mar. 11, 2025

In a court filing, Google proposed putting limits around its contracts with mobile device manufacturers and wireless carriers.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 21, 2024

And after an awkward amount of time where I just stare at her, she hands me her mobile device.

From "Counting by 7s" by Holly Goldberg Sloan

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023