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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
Joe Salas
may 07, New Atlas, 7 May 2025
However, instead of a more traditional setup the contraption featured five rows of keys topped with Chinese characters.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 7 May 2025
From sleek supercars that look like they should be driven by movie villains to whimsical contraptions that lean more toward Pixar animation, the designs in this portfolio are sure to rev up petrolheads.
—The Editors, Robb Report, 19 Apr. 2025
Inventors like Richard Arkwright and James Hargreaves had mechanized spinning with various contraptions, but weaving initially remained too complex to automate.
—John Cassidy, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 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 22 May. 2025.
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contraption
noun
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