contraption

noun

con·​trap·​tion kən-ˈtrap-shən 

: device, gadget

Did you know?

What exactly is a contraption?

In the words of one Little Mermaid, “I’ve got gadgets and gizmos a-plenty.” It would have been on-theme (though perhaps a bit clunky) for the aquatic princess to include in her siren song the word contraption. Synonymous with both gadget and gizmo, and widget too, in referring to mechanical and electronic devices, contraption is also one of a raft of terms people reach for when talking about various human-made bits and bobs, whether mechanical or not. (It's thought to have possibly been formed as a blend of contrivance, trap, and invention.) Want more thingamabob words? Try doohickey, thingamajig, dingus, or doodad.

Synonyms of contraption

• gadget

Examples of contraption in a Sentence

The people wondered how the contraption worked.

built a contraption for automatically buttering toast

Recent Examples on the Web

Eventually, the contraption worked, producing chewy, flavorful mango slices. — Rick Jervis, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026

Out of the 401,000 or so people who visited the eight-day State Fair that year, 4,233 took a spin on the new contraption. — Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 29 Aug. 2026

Today, Unitree’s pre-IPO investors are sitting on a windfall gain, although nobody really knows if there’s a commercial application for the gangly humanoid contraptions. — Andy Browne, semafor.com, 25 Aug. 2026

Video footage circulating on social media and photography by Reuters show visitors mounting the unusual contraption, a bizarre mash-up of a motorcycle and an oversized robot dog, and taking it for a spin. — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 20 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

perhaps blend of contrivance, trap, and invention

First Known Use

circa 1825, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for contraption

• adaption
• caption

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Kids Definition

contraption

noun

con·​trap·​tion kən-ˈtrap-shən 

: device sense 1c, gadget