- a machine or tool used for a specific task; contrivance
- euphemistic a bomb
- a plan or plot, esp a clever or evil one; scheme; trick
- any ornamental pattern or picture, as in embroidery
- a piece of computer hardware that is designed for a specific function
- a written, printed, or painted design or figure, used as a heraldic sign, emblem, trademark, etc
- a particular pattern of words, figures of speech, etc, used in literature to produce an effect on the reader
- leave someone to his or her own devices ⇒ to leave someone alone to do as he or she wishes
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
de•vice /dɪˈvaɪs/USA pronunciation
n. [countable]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- a thing made for a particular purpose, esp. a mechanical or electric invention:She invented a device that automatically closes windows when it rains.
- a plan, scheme, or procedure, esp. a crafty one:full of devices for arousing sympathy.
- Idioms leave (one) to one's own devices, to allow (a person) to act freely, without being watched:We left the children to their own devices.
de•vice
(di vīs′),USA pronunciation n.
de•vice′ful, adj.
de•vice′ful•ly, adv.
de•vice′ful•ness, n.
- a thing made for a particular purpose;
an invention or contrivance, esp. a mechanical or electrical one. - a plan or scheme for effecting a purpose.
- a crafty scheme;
trick. - Literaturea particular word pattern, figure of speech, combination of word sounds, etc., used in a literary work to evoke a desired effect or arouse a desired reaction in the reader:rhetorical devices.
- something elaborately or fancifully designed.
- Heraldrya representation or design used as a heraldic charge or as an emblem, badge, trademark, or the like.
- a motto.
- [Archaic.]devising;
invention.
- Latin dīvīsa, feminine of dīvīsus; see division
- Anglo-French, Old French
- 1375–1425; blend of, blended late Middle English devis division, discourse and devise heraldic device, will; both
de•vice′ful•ly, adv.
de•vice′ful•ness, n.
- 1. gadget. 2. project, design. 3. wile, ruse, artifice, stratagem, maneuver. 7. slogan, legend.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
device /dɪˈvaɪs/ n
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'device' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
abacus
- accelerator
- access
- accumulator
- acoustoelectronic
- adaptor
- afterburner
- agitator
- aid
- air bag
- air pump
- airway
- alarm
- amperage
- amplifier
- amusement
- anastigmatic
- aneroid barometer
- annulet
- annunciator
- answering machine
- aperture
- appliance
- applicator
- Archimedes' screw
- arm
- armed
- armature
- artifice
- aspirator
- astrolabe
- atomizer
- Autocue
- automatic
- automatic pilot
- automaton
- autonomous
- background
- baffle
- balance
- ball cock
- ballast
- band-pass filter
- bearing
- beater
- bell
- bench test
- bezel
- bias
- black box
