Definition of device
1 : something devised or contrived: such asa (1) : plan, procedure, technique a marketing device mnemonic devices (2) : a scheme to deceive : stratagem, trickb : something fanciful, elaborate, or intricate in designc : 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 deviced archaic : masque, spectaclee : a conventional stage practice or means (such as a stage whisper) used to achieve a particular dramatic effectf : 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)
From the M-W Editors
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
-
The device was recently used by scientists to capture footage of fluorescent sea turtles in the pitch-black ocean near the Solomon Islands.
-
All of these devices are talking with each other and the wider world constantly.
-
Therefore, the equipment must either be shipped at great cost or the documents must be removed from their permanent homes to the nearest device.
-
That's according to a local police union president, a police chief and a detective whose department was the first in the nation to let officers carry Narcan, a device that delivers naloxone.
-
To give people the opportunity to do something other than be on a mobile device and have great interactions.
-
Payment processing has become increasingly important for financial institutions as more people shop online and move money using cellphones or other digital devices.
-
After fireworks complete their burning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding it to prevent a trash fire.
-
Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse.
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
Other Literature Terms
DEVICE Defined for English Language Learners
device
playDefinition 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
DEVICE Defined for Kids
Medical Dictionary
device
playMedical Definition of device
: a piece of equipment or a mechanism designed to serve a special purpose or perform a special function
Learn More about device
-
See words that rhyme with device Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for device Spanish Central: Translation of device Nglish: Translation of device for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of device for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up device? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!