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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 The device releases soapy water when hands or other items came in contact with a sensor stored underneath the faucet.
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Aj Willingham, CNN, "All The Good Stuff that happened this week," 16 May 2020 The device had been installed inside the pump and wasn’t visible from the outside.
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Bob Sandrick, cleveland, "Customer spits at liquor store owner; man found lying on Pickaway Drive: Brook Park Police Blotter," 15 May 2020 That means sacrificing the device’s quick turnaround time...
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Christopher Weaver, WSJ, "Abbott Will Change Coronavirus Test Instructions for Second Time," 15 May 2020 While many of the device’s specifications have been surpassed by newer technology at this point, the iPhone SE does use the same A13 processor as the latest flagship iPhone.
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Mark Gurman, Bloomberg.com, "Apple Launches New Cheap iPhone to Boost Sales Ahead of 5G Model," 15 May 2020 The compact device is strong enough to purify up to 319 square feet and offers a variety of control settings.
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Braelyn Wood, Health.com, "Air Quality Sensor Will Alert Your Household to Pollution—and Fix The Issue," 14 May 2020 But the complaint said a child who initially registered for a TikTok account for younger users could instantly delete it and sign up for an over-13 account on the same mobile device simply by using a fake birth date.
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Natasha Singer, New York Times, "TikTok Broke Privacy Promises, Children’s Groups Say," 14 May 2020 As soon as used iPads are received by mail, volunteers, like 29-year-old Ian Kaplan, work to ensure the devices are properly reset and fit for donation.
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Fox News, "Human contact during coronavirus: Artist captures group's efforts to unite families through donated iPads," 9 May 2020 The homemade heat-resistant device used to measure propulsion pressure in the experiment.
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Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, "Wait, Could Plasma Thrusters Really Replace Jet Engines?," 7 May 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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