device

noun

de·​vice di-ˈvīs 

1

: something devised or contrived: such as

a(1)

: a piece of equipment or a mechanism designed to serve a special purpose or perform a special function

smartphones and other electronic devices

(2)

: a weapon that explodes

a nuclear device

b(1)

: plan, procedure, technique

a marketing device

mnemonic devices

(2)

: a scheme to deceive : stratagem, trick

c

: something fanciful, elaborate, or intricate in design

d

: something (such as a figure of speech) in a literary work designed to achieve a particular artistic effect

irony and other literary devices

a plot device

e

archaic : masque, spectacle

f

: a conventional stage practice or means (such as a stage whisper) used to achieve a particular dramatic effect

2

: desire, inclination

left to my own devices

3

heraldry : an emblematic design used especially as a heraldic bearing (see bearing sense 4)

Synonyms of device

• scheme
• ruse
• trick

Examples of device in a Sentence

The store sells TVs, VCRs, and other electronic devices.

agreeing to dismantle all nuclear devices

a useful mnemonic device for remembering the names of the planets

The company's method of tracking expenses is just a device to make it seem more profitable.

Recent Examples on the Web

During winter storms, NWS advises staying inside, stocking up on food and water, and charging essential devices in case of power outages. —Cailey Gleeson, jsonline.com, 29 Nov. 2025

One of the main limitations of current diabetes medical devices is the lag between what's going on in the body and the blood vessels, the doctor noted. —Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 29 Nov. 2025

Other residents who can't use their hands or mouths can operate the devices through a camera that captures eye movement. —Jordan Rau, NPR, 29 Nov. 2025

Advancing Surface Acoustic Waves Surface acoustic waves, or SAWs, are used billions of times each day inside mobile devices and also exist naturally in earthquakes. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 29 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English devis, devise, from Anglo-French, division, plan, from deviser to divide, regulate, tell — more at devise

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing device

• charge-coupled device
• flotation device
• intrauterine contraceptive device
• intrauterine device
• I/O device
• listening device
• point-device
• ventricular assist device

Rhymes for device

• advice
• allspice
• concise
• entice
• excise
• fordyce
• precise
• suffice
• dice
• feis
• gneiss
• grice

Kids Definition

device

noun

de·​vice di-ˈvīs 

1

a

: a scheme to deceive : stratagem

b

: something (as a figure of speech) in a written work designed to achieve a particular artistic effect

c

: a piece of equipment to serve a special purpose

electronic devices

2

plural : a preferred way of doing or acting : inclination

left to her own devices

3

: a design that is an emblem

especially : one used in a coat of arms

Medical Definition

device

noun

de·​vice di-ˈvīs 

: a piece of equipment or a mechanism designed to serve a special purpose or perform a special function