device

noun de·vice \ di-ˈvīs \

|Updated on: 19 Jun 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

Thought its certainly a topical subject for a society obsessed with TVs, computers and mobile devices, Bird insists there is no strong social message intended with Screenslaver.

— USA TODAY, "Inside 'Incredibles 2' major villain problem - and how director Brad Bird fixed it," 13 June 2018
Minister of Defense Tiena Coulibaly says the armed forces on Tuesday also recovered weapons, explosive devices and other materials.

— Fox News, "Mali says armed forces kill 10 extremists in Mopti region," 12 June 2018
Log in Subscribe today for full access on your desktop, tablet, and mobile device.

— dave birkett, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Lions summer break 'still a critical time for the team'," 11 June 2018
With these daunting numbers, what can pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device companies do to increase efficiency and accelerate clinical development?

— jessica levy, Cincinnati.com, "Medpace speeds the advancement of safe, effective medical therapeutics," 8 June 2018
In Oakland, officers found an explosive device, Cal Fire said.

— molly sullivan, sacbee, "Nearly 50,000 pounds of illegal fireworks seized, 7 arrested in Cal Fire bust," 7 June 2018
Another consideration would give school administrators the ability to notify every computer and mobile device in the building of a potential threat in seconds.

— nicholas sakelaris, star-telegram, "This Fort Worth-area school district might spend $2.3 million to put armed officers at every campus," 7 June 2018
Shortcuts can only be customized on an iOS device, but Siri on the Apple Watch will know them.

— valentina palladino, Ars Technica, "WatchOS 5 first take: Walkie Talkie, workout auto detect, and smarter Siri," 5 June 2018
On August 2, 2017, one week after learning that his wife Britt was expecting their first child, Army Specialist Chris Harris was killed by an explosive device in Afghanistan.

— meghan overdeep, Southern Living, "Newborn Daughter of Fallen Soldier Does Photo Shoot with Her Late Father’s Unit," 31 May 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