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
This Epicka Universal Travel Adapter is a T+L favorite overall pick due to its four different plug types that are compatible with over 200 sockets worldwide and its ability to charge up to six devices at once.
—
Kristin Braswell, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 2025
The massive cloud service’s outage meant people couldn’t order food, communicate with hospital networks, access mobile banking, or connect with their security systems and smart home devices.
—Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Arthur — who is also chief medical officer of Medtronic Neurovascular, a California company that produces medical devices that help treat aneurysms — noted that brain aneurysms are much more common in women.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025
This combination positions them uniquely to become AI aggregators – bringing together support, services and devices that that help consumers simplify and secure their digital lives.
—Astha Bhardwaj, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for device
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Kristin Braswell, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 2025
The massive cloud service’s outage meant people couldn’t order food, communicate with hospital networks, access mobile banking, or connect with their security systems and smart home devices.
—Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Arthur — who is also chief medical officer of Medtronic Neurovascular, a California company that produces medical devices that help treat aneurysms — noted that brain aneurysms are much more common in women.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025
This combination positions them uniquely to become AI aggregators – bringing together support, services and devices that that help consumers simplify and secure their digital lives.
—Astha Bhardwaj, Fortune, 25 Oct. 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 29 Oct. 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
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