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de·vice | \ di-ˈvīs 
\
\Definition of device
b : something fanciful, elaborate, or intricate in design
c : something (such as a figure of speech) in a literary work designed to achieve a particular artistic effect
irony and other literary devices a plot device
e : a conventional stage practice or means (such as a stage whisper) used to achieve a particular dramatic effect
f : a piece of equipment or a mechanism designed to serve a special purpose or perform a special function
smartphones and other electronic devices a hidden recording device
2 : desire, inclination left to my own devices
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Synonyms for device
Synonyms
- artifice,
- dodge,
- fetch,
- flimflam,
- gambit,
- gimmick,
- jig,
- juggle,
- knack,
- play,
- ploy,
- ruse,
- scheme,
- shenanigan,
- sleight,
- stratagem,
- trick,
- wile
Examples of device in a Sentence
The store sells TVs, VCRs, and other electronic devices.
agreeing to dismantle all nuclear devices
a useful mnemonic device for remembering the names of the planets
The company's method of tracking expenses is just a device to make it seem more profitable.
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Recent Examples on the Web These days, tracking and data mining extends way beyond a single browser and a single device.
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David Nield, Wired, "Incognito Mode May Not Work the Way You Think It Does," 2 Aug. 2020 To date, Apple hasn’t launched a mobile device to take advantage of the emerging 5G wireless standard that offers much faster speeds and other benefits.
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Marc Saltzman, USA TODAY, "Rumors are swirling online about the upcoming Apple iPhone 12 models," 1 Aug. 2020 Can a seltzer-making company build a better device to help COVID patients breathe?
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Kartikay Mehrotra, Fortune, "Instacart shoppers are battling order-grabbing bots," 1 Aug. 2020 The tracers are returned when the employee leaves the building for the day and are placed in a device that charges and sanitizes them overnight.
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David Moore, Dallas News, "Plexiglass, trackers and high-tech laundry: From Jerry Jones on down, rigorous COVID-19 protocols await Cowboys," 1 Aug. 2020 This one—named Smoky—had double the explosive power of the bomb used on Nagasaki, also a plutonium device.
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Jeremy Bernstein, WSJ, "‘The Apocalypse Factory’ Review: Before and After the Bomb," 31 July 2020 Clark was given several charges, including one count of organized fraud, 17 counts of communications fraud, 10 counts of fraudulent use of personal information, and one count of access to a computer or electronic device without authority.
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Madison Dibble, Washington Examiner, "Florida teenager arrested in connection to Twitter hack targeting Barack Obama, Elon Musk, and others," 31 July 2020 Another way to exfoliate is using a dermaplaning device like Dermaflash (or an eyebrow razor).
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Bella Cacciatore, Glamour, "Dolphin Skin Is Summer’s Glowiest Skin Trend, and I Tried It," 30 July 2020 The officer pulled a metal pen-like device from his pocket and shoved one end into the back of Mitina’s hand and again told her to open her hand, the video said.
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Cory Shaffer, cleveland, "Parma mother says police used excessive force after accusing her of recording cellphone video of child custody exchange," 30 July 2020
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'device.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for device
device
nounEnglish Language Learners Definition of device
: an object, machine, or piece of equipment that has been made for some special purpose
: a weapon that explodes
: something that is done in order to achieve a particular effect
See the full definition for device in the English Language Learners Dictionary
device
nounde·vice | \ di-ˈvīs \
\Kids Definition of device
1 : a piece of equipment made for a special purpose
electronic devices
2 : choice of what to do
We were left to our own devices.
3 : a thing or act used to deceive : trick
device
nounde·vice | \ di-ˈvīs \
\Medical Definition of device
: a piece of equipment or a mechanism designed to serve a special purpose or perform a special function
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Time Traveler for device
The first known use of device was in the 14th century
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