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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.
Examples of contraption in a Sentence
semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2025
After 53-minutes and change, Vince falls off his contraption, advancing Morgan to Part 3 of the competition!
—Nick Caruso, TVLine, 28 Sep. 2025
Upon the closing of the legendary hatch, a virtual hurricane blasted Goldberg inside the contraption, with Stitch gleefully running around its perimeter as Goldberg fished for a card holding the lucky number of one audience member who would ultimately win the trip.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Sep. 2025
The team started by creating a nebulizer, or a contraption where Mahiri can stick her head into what looks like a multi-gallon jug with a large hole cut out of one side and a Tupperware attached to the other, the video shows.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contraption
Cite this Entry
“Contraption.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contraption. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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contraption
noun
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