1
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
3
heraldry
: an emblematic design used especially as a heraldic bearing (see bearing sense 4)
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
Don’t look at the sun through any unfiltered optical device — camera lens, telescope, binoculars — while wearing eclipse glasses or using a handheld solar viewer, NASA advises.
—
Gina Park, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2025
John tells fellow Hawaiians of the wisdom kept in this game like how the stone carvings from hundreds of years ago are believed to have been used as an abacus-esque device for managing and allocating land.
—Matt Negrin, Rolling Stone, 20 Sep. 2025
While convenient, fitness devices aren't always 100% accurate and may have varying degrees of error.
—Lauren O'Connor, Health, 20 Sep. 2025
Besides pinching, the Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses can also be controlled using the Meta AI voice assistant, just as users can with the device’s predecessors.
—Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for device
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Gina Park, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2025
John tells fellow Hawaiians of the wisdom kept in this game like how the stone carvings from hundreds of years ago are believed to have been used as an abacus-esque device for managing and allocating land.
—Matt Negrin, Rolling Stone, 20 Sep. 2025
While convenient, fitness devices aren't always 100% accurate and may have varying degrees of error.
—Lauren O'Connor, Health, 20 Sep. 2025
Besides pinching, the Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses can also be controlled using the Meta AI voice assistant, just as users can with the device’s predecessors.
—Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for device
Cite this Entry
“Device.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/device. Accessed 24 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share