- 1an object or a piece of equipment that has been designed to do a particular job a water-saving device This device enables deaf people to communicate by typing messages instead of speaking. electronic labor-saving devices around the home
Definitions on the go
Look up any word in the dictionary offline, anytime, anywhere with the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary app.
- 2a bomb or weapon that will explode A powerful device exploded outside the station. the world's first atomic device
- 3a method of doing something that produces a particular result or effect Sending advertising by e-mail is very successful as a marketing device.
- 4a plan or trick that is used to get something that someone wants The report was a device used to hide rather than reveal problems. Idioms
to leave someone alone to do as they wish, and not tell them what to do
Check pronunciation: device