device

noun de·vice \ di-ˈvīs \

|Updated on: 14 Aug 2018

Examples: device in a Sentence

Definition of device

1 : something devised or contrived: such as

a (1) : plan, procedure, technique

a marketing device

mnemonic devices

(2) : a scheme to deceive : stratagem, trick

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

d archaic : masque, spectacle

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

3 heraldry : an emblematic design used especially as a heraldic bearing (see bearing 4)

See device defined for English-language learners

See device defined for kids

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.

Recent Examples of device from the Web

Authorities traced the IP address, a numerical label assigned to specific devices, to Klinger’s house on Eugenia Court in Oviedo, according to the report.

— jeff weiner, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Oviedo man had 'thousands upon thousands' of child porn files, arrest report says," 13 July 2018
While other health facilities have trialed the new device, UConn Health in Farmington was the first to buy and use it in early July, health information officer Lauren Wood said.

— rebecca lurye, courant.com, "UConn Health Is First U.S. Hospital With Augmented Reality Surgical Microscope," 12 July 2018
The driver, Eriberto Orozco, 30, of the 3500 block of North Lowell Avenue in Chicago, later was cited for disobeying a stop sign and traffic control device, driving an overweight vehicle on the bridge and failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash.

— todd shields, chicagotribune.com, "Long Grove bridge rebuild could take months; officials say timber cover could collapse," 11 July 2018
This device, when placed on the top of a fresh pineapple with the top cut off, will core and spiral-slice your fruit, leaving just the core and pineapple shell.

— emily spicer, San Antonio Express-News, "How to make piña coladas served in a pineapple," 11 July 2018
The solution was hands-free devices, like wired or wireless headsets.

— ian bogost, The Atlantic, "Driving Without a Smartphone," 10 July 2018
This smart home device uses Amazon's Alexa technology to give you hands-free viewing of everything from the weather report to your favorite TV show to your home's smart camera.

— health editors, Health.com, "4 Early Prime Day Deals You Can Shop Right Now," 3 July 2018
Ballots are accessible on smart devices using the MLB At Bat and MLB Ballpark apps.

— katherine fominykh, baltimoresun.com, "Orioles' Machado clinging to lead in All-Star voting; Braves' Markakis a shoo-in," 2 July 2018
It would be armored against 40-millimeter guns and buried improved explosive devices, and feature an active protection system designed to detect, track, and shoot down incoming rockets, anti-tank missiles, and even anti-tank shells.

— kyle mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "The Army’s Next Fighting Vehicle Will Be a Troop Carrier," 28 June 2018

These 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.

Origin and Etymology of device

Middle English devis, devise, from Anglo-French, division, plan, from deviser to divide, regulate, tell — more at devise

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

device Synonyms

Synonyms

affection, affinity, aptitude, bent, bias, bone, disposition, genius, habitude, impulse, inclination, leaning, partiality, penchant, predilection, predisposition, proclivity, propensity, tendency, turn;

Near Antonyms

allergy, averseness, aversion, disfavor, disinclination, dislike, disliking, disrelish, distaste;

detachment, impartiality, neutrality, objectivity;

apathy, disinterestedness, indifference, insouciance, nonchalance, unconcern;

endowment, faculty, flair, genius, gift, knack, talent;

addiction, appetite, fancy, fondness, like, liking, preference, taste;

forte, speciality, specialty;

convention, custom, habit, pattern, practice (also practise), routine, trick, way, wont;

eccentricity, idiosyncrasy, kink, oddity, peculiarity, quirk, singularity;

Other Literature Terms

apophasis, bathos, bildungsroman, bowdlerize, caesura, coda, doggerel, euphemism, poesy, prosody

DEVICE Defined for English Language Learners

device

noun

Definition of device for English Language Learners

: 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