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

To achieve the effect of Alma extracting the worm from Elvira’s mouth, Foldberg and his team created several silicone worm pieces and then fed them through a contraption attached to the side of Myren’s face. —Andrew McGowan, Variety, 23 Dec. 2025

The jiggly, quaking contraption is eye-catching—a natural social media star. —Julia Sullivan, Outside, 23 Dec. 2025

What about some newfangled contraption? —Brian Moylan, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2025

Plants grow toward light, microbes swim toward rich food sources, animals hide from predators, humans send giant metal contraptions into outer space. —Adam Frank, The Atlantic, 15 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

perhaps blend of contrivance, trap, and invention

First Known Use

circa 1825, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for contraption

• adaption
• aptian
• caption

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Kids Definition

contraption

noun

con·​trap·​tion kən-ˈtrap-shən 

: device sense 1c, gadget