device

noun

de·​vice di-ˈvīs 

1

: something devised or contrived: such as

a(1)

: a piece of equipment or a mechanism designed to serve a special purpose or perform a special function

smartphones and other electronic devices

(2)

: a weapon that explodes

a nuclear device

b(1)

: plan, procedure, technique

a marketing device

mnemonic devices

(2)

: a scheme to deceive : stratagem, trick

c

: something fanciful, elaborate, or intricate in design

d

: 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

archaic : masque, spectacle

f

: a conventional stage practice or means (such as a stage whisper) used to achieve a particular dramatic effect

2

: desire, inclination

left to my own devices

3

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

Synonyms of device

• scheme
• ruse
• trick

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 on the Web

The 1990s and 2000s saw a wave of layoffs from industry stalwarts like IBM, Hewlett Packard and Microsoft, which embraced technological advancements like personal computers, mobile devices and the cloud. —Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 31 Jan. 2026

Across the other devices, both Mac and Wearables, Home & Accessories sales declined year over year, while the market anticipated slight growth. —Jeff Marks, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2026

She was contacted by Apple about the device and then set her phone to make a noise to alert her when the device was nearby. —David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2026

The device is described as a circular aluminum and glass disc with microphones, cameras, a speaker, and a physical button, designed to work with a future LLM powered version of Siri. —Charlie Fink, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing device

• charge-coupled device
• flotation device
• intrauterine contraceptive device
• intrauterine device
• I/O device
• listening device
• point-device
• ventricular assist device

Rhymes for device

• advice
• allspice
• concise
• entice
• excise
• fordyce
• precise
• suffice
• dice
• feis
• gneiss
• grice

Kids Definition

device

noun

de·​vice di-ˈvīs 

1

a

: a scheme to deceive : stratagem

b

: something (as a figure of speech) in a written work designed to achieve a particular artistic effect

c

: a piece of equipment to serve a special purpose

electronic devices

2

plural : a preferred way of doing or acting : inclination

left to her own devices

3

: a design that is an emblem

especially : one used in a coat of arms

Medical Definition

device

noun

de·​vice di-ˈvīs 

: a piece of equipment or a mechanism designed to serve a special purpose or perform a special function