A device is an object that has been invented for a particular purpose, for example for recording or measuring something.
...an electronic device that protects your vehicle 24 hours a day.
...a device that could measure minute quantities of matter.
We believe that an explosive device had been left inside a container.
Synonyms: gadget, machine, tool, instrument More Synonyms of device
2. countable noun
A device is a method of achieving something.
They claim that military spending is used as a device for managing the economy. [+ for]
...the literary device of the metaphor.
3.
See to leave someone to their own devices
More Synonyms of device
device in British English
(dɪˈvaɪs)
noun
1.
a machine or tool used for a specific task; contrivance
2. euphemistic
a bomb
3.
a plan or plot, esp a clever or evil one; scheme; trick
4.
any ornamental pattern or picture, as in embroidery
5.
a piece of computer hardware that is designed for a specific function
6.
a written, printed, or painted design or figure, used as a heraldic sign, emblem, trademark, etc
7.
a particular pattern of words, figures of speech, etc, used in literature to produce an effect on the reader
8. archaic
the act or process of planning or devising
9. leave someone to his or her own devices
Word origin
C13: from Old French devis purpose, contrivance and devise difference, intention, from deviser to divide, control; see devise
device in American English
(dɪˈvaɪs)
noun
1.
a thing devised; plan; scheme, esp. a sly or underhanded scheme; trick
2.
an invention or contrivance, esp. a mechanical one, for some specific purpose
3.
something used to gain an artistic effect
rhetorical devices
4.
an ornamental figure or design
5.
a design, often with a motto, on a coat of arms; heraldic emblem
6.
any motto or emblem
7. Archaic
the act or power of devising
Idioms:
leave to one's own devices
Word origin
ME & OFr devis, division, will < OFr deviser: see devise
device in Electrical Engineering
(dɪvaɪs)
Word forms: (regular plural) devices
noun
(Electrical engineering: General)
A device is an object that has been invented for a particular purpose, such as recording ormeasuring something.
If a miswiring inside an appliance caused one wire to accidentally touch the metalcase of the device, your customers could still touch that metal case without danger.
A current transformer is a device for measuring a current flowing through a power system and inputting the measuredcurrent to a protective relay system.
A device is an object that has been invented for a particular purpose, such as recording ormeasuring something.
charge-coupled device
COBUILD Collocations
device
connect a device to
defuse a device
digital device
electrical device
electronic device
fit a device
hand-held device
hidden device
install a device
mobile device
plant a device
plot device
portable device
recording device
simple device
smart device
tablet device
wearable device
Examples of 'device' in a sentence
device
She took advice about how to check her flat for bugs or recording devices.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
The hope is that a curious or gullible employee will insert the infected device into their computer.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Any of them could be hiding an explosive device.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
You can't use any electronic devices to see how fast it is.
The Sun (2016)
He had twice been riding in an armoured vehicle that struck an improvised explosive device, and was injured once in friendly fire.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It comes across as more of a literary device than a dramatic one.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The victim is often only a plot device.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The trouble is that electronic jamming devices are complex and expensive pieces of kit.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Two recording devices rest on the table.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
And they claimed explosive devices which cannot be detected by security scans would be used.
The Sun (2010)
New media also provides the theme or crucial plot device to a series of productions.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
No electronic devices can be taken in.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The images are transmitted to a recording device worn by the patient.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Now he is working on computer devices using ion currents.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The plot device of financial anonymity is as old as comic opera and it is always a winner.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Now we will have to prove that our electronic devices will charge up before we are allowed on flights.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The devices measured hours spent asleep.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Not exactly an original literary device.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
It has also been used in Iraq in improvised explosive devices.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
As a literary device, this works marvellously.
The Times Literary Supplement (2014)
He said full body scanners will be installed at all airports as well as advanced X-ray machines and devices to detect explosives.
The Sun (2010)
In Britain, teams of crooks and engineers design camouflaged electronic devices and fit them to cash machines.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
In other languages
device
British English: device /dɪˈvaɪs/ NOUN
A device is an object that has been made for a particular purpose.
He used an electronic device to measure the rooms.
American English: device
Arabic: أَدَاة
Brazilian Portuguese: dispositivo
Chinese: 器件
Croatian: naprava
Czech: zařízení
Danish: anordning
Dutch: apparaat
European Spanish: dispositivo
Finnish: laite
French: dispositif
German: Gerät
Greek: συσκευή
Italian: dispositivo
Japanese: 装置
Korean: 장치
Norwegian: innretning
Polish: urządzenie
European Portuguese: dispositivo
Romanian: dispozitiv
Russian: устройство
Latin American Spanish: dispositivo
Swedish: anordning
Thai: อุปกรณ์
Turkish: araç
Ukrainian: пристрій
Vietnamese: thiết bị
All related terms of 'device'
plot device
A device is a method of achieving something.
escape device
a device with a collapsible extensible slide , used as an emergency exit , eg from a burning tall building
hidden device
A device is an object that has been invented for a particular purpose, for example for recording or measuring something.
homing device
a device that provides direction to a target or destination
input device
An input device is a piece of computer equipment such as a keyboard which enables you to put information into a computer.
mobile device
A device is an object that has been invented for a particular purpose, for example for recording or measuring something.
output device
a device which transmits data from a computer into information that can be read by a human
point-device
very correct or perfect ; precise
safety device
A safety device is a piece of equipment such as a fire extinguisher, safety belt , or burglar alarm that reduces loss or damage from a fire, accident , or break-in.
simple device
A device is an object that has been invented for a particular purpose, for example for recording or measuring something.
smart device
A device is an object that has been invented for a particular purpose, for example for recording or measuring something.
tablet device
A device is an object that has been invented for a particular purpose, for example for recording or measuring something.
timing device
a device that can be set to detonate a bomb at a particular time
digital device
A device is an object that has been invented for a particular purpose, for example for recording or measuring something.
fit a device
A device is an object that has been invented for a particular purpose, for example for recording or measuring something.
portable device
A device is an object that has been invented for a particular purpose, for example for recording or measuring something.
scanning device
any of various devices used in medical diagnosis to obtain an image of an internal organ or part
storage device
a piece of computer equipment , such as a magnetic tape , disk , etc, in or on which data and instructions can be stored , usually in binary form
tracking device
an electronic security device which allows you to monitor the location of a person or object, esp a vehicle
warning device
something that provides a warning of possible danger
wearable device
A device is an object that has been invented for a particular purpose , for example for recording or measuring something.
cut-off device
a device that terminates the flow or supply of something
detective device
a device that detects or discovers the existence of something
electrical device
A device is an object that has been invented for a particular purpose, for example for recording or measuring something.
electronic device
A device is an object that has been invented for a particular purpose, for example for recording or measuring something.
explosive device
a device, such as a bomb , that explodes or bursts loudly and with great force
incendiary device
a bomb that is designed to start fires
listening device
a device used to overhear , record , or monitor speech
measuring device
anything used in making measurements
peripheral device
any device, such as a disk , printer , modem , or screen, concerned with input / output , storage , etc
plant a device
A device is an object that has been invented for a particular purpose, for example for recording or measuring something.
recording device
A device is an object that has been invented for a particular purpose, for example for recording or measuring something.
defuse a device
A device is an object that has been invented for a particular purpose, for example for recording or measuring something.
fuel-saving device
a device that increases the fuel efficiency of a vehicle, so that it uses less fuel for a further distance
hand-held device
A device is an object that has been invented for a particular purpose, for example for recording or measuring something.
install a device
A device is an object that has been invented for a particular purpose, for example for recording or measuring something.
intrauterine device
a metal or plastic device, in the shape of a loop , coil , or ring, inserted into the uterus to prevent conception
self-belay device
(in climbing ) a device used to pay out a safety rope as required
charge-coupled device
an electronic device, used in imaging and signal processing , in which information is represented as packets of electric charge that are stored in an array of tiny closely spaced capacitors and can be moved from one capacitor to another in a controlled way
hazard warning device
an appliance fitted to a motor vehicle that operates the hazard lights
input/output device
a device that passes data into and out of a computer
labour-saving device
a machine, gadget , etc, that reduces (human) effort , hard work or labour
central locking device
a small device that controls the central locking on a motor vehicle
connect a device to
A device is an object that has been invented for a particular purpose, for example for recording or measuring something.
residual current device
a circuit-breaking device installed in electrical equipment to protect the operator from electrocution
improvised explosive device
a home-made explosive device designed to maim , harass , or kill
intrauterine (contraceptive) device
any of various devices, as a coil or loop of plastic, inserted in the uterus as a contraceptive