gadget

noun

gad·​get ˈga-jət How to pronounce gadget (audio)
Synonyms of gadget
: an often small mechanical or electronic device with a practical use but often thought of as a novelty
gadgetry noun
gadgety adjective

Examples of gadget in a Sentence

The kitchen is equipped with all the latest gadgets. cell phones, pagers, and other gadgets
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That demand has produced a crowded field of gadgets so here are 11 worth knowing about. Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 15 June 2026 Your Wi-Fi router may be the least glamorous gadget in your home. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2026 Upgrade your outdoor experiences with smart gadgets from Limitless. ABC News, 13 June 2026 The second generation of its 6-inch E Ink reader bring BOOX's innovative note-taking technology to the smaller screen, turning this gadget into not just a sleek portable library but a powerful planner and creative tool in its own right. New Atlas, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for gadget

Word History

Etymology

perhaps a sound-symbolic coinage, with final as in fidget entry 1, midget, idjit (nonstandard form of idiot)

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gadget was in 1886

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gadget.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gadget. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

gadget

noun
gad·​get ˈgaj-ət How to pronounce gadget (audio)
: an interesting, unfamiliar, or unusual device with a practical use
gadgetry noun

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