contraption

noun

con·trap·tion kən-ˈtrap-shən How to pronounce contraption (audio)

: device, gadget

Did you know?

What exactly is a contraption?

English has a number of words that can be used as general terms for mechanical or electronic devices, including gadget, gizmo, widget, and contraption. In addition to their meaning, these four words also have a couple of other things in common. First, they are all relative newcomers to the language. The oldest, contraption, entered the language in the early 1800s. Second, the origins of all four are a bit of a mystery. While widget is believed to be an alteration of gadget, the origins of gadget are unknown—it didn't appear in print until later in the 19th century, and it is believed to have been used earlier among sailors. Gizmo sprang into American English in the mid-20th century from origins unknown. The word contraption may be a blend of contrivance (which can be used as another synonym of gadget), trap, and invention.

Example Sentences

The people wondered how the contraption worked. built a contraption for automatically buttering toast

Recent Examples on the Web The company manufactures scales, finely tooled for symbolic intent: everything from precision instruments to a hulking contraption for weighing livestock, upon which Blanco invites female interns and visitors to step.

Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2022 The contraption, called a JUGS machine, fired off footballs through two high-speed rotating discs and allowed players to run routes or practice catching by themselves, operating with basic machinery and not utilizing any software.

Laura Stevens, Washington Post, 15 Aug. 2022 Logan International Airport lugging a hefty contraption, built like a tiny tank, that immediately drew the attention of airport security officers.

Edward Chen, STAT, 13 July 2022 It’s a carnival in movie form: a grand, restless, swirling contraption that’s as grotesque as any bloody-mouthed geek and as uncomfortably poignant as a sad clown.

K. Austin Collins, Rolling Stone, 24 June 2022 Now a world-record-holding contraption — a 16,000-square-foot bounce house — is heading to metro Detroit.

Layla Mcmurtrie, Detroit Free Press, 6 June 2022 To put the fantastical contraption to the test at Goodwood, Le Mans–winning driver Romain Dumas is suiting up in the cockpit of the SuperVan 4.

Sasha Richie, Car and Driver, 23 June 2022 The consensus among the group was that the newfangled contraption would never amount to anything.

Gary Kamiya, San Francisco Chronicle, 10 June 2022 But the contraption failed to catch on, perhaps because smells could travel back up the pipe.

Amanda Foreman, WSJ, 9 June 2022 See More

单词	contraptions
释义	contraption noun con·trap·tion kən-ˈtrap-shən : device, gadget Did you know? What exactly is a contraption? English has a number of words that can be used as general terms for mechanical or electronic devices, including gadget, gizmo, widget, and contraption. In addition to their meaning, these four words also have a couple of other things in common. First, they are all relative newcomers to the language. The oldest, contraption, entered the language in the early 1800s. Second, the origins of all four are a bit of a mystery. While widget is believed to be an alteration of gadget, the origins of gadget are unknown—it didn't appear in print until later in the 19th century, and it is believed to have been used earlier among sailors. Gizmo sprang into American English in the mid-20th century from origins unknown. The word contraption may be a blend of contrivance (which can be used as another synonym of gadget), trap, and invention. Synonyms appliance contrivance gadget gimmick gizmo gismo jigger widget See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences The people wondered how the contraption worked. built a contraption for automatically buttering toast Recent Examples on the Web The company manufactures scales, finely tooled for symbolic intent: everything from precision instruments to a hulking contraption for weighing livestock, upon which Blanco invites female interns and visitors to step. Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2022 The contraption, called a JUGS machine, fired off footballs through two high-speed rotating discs and allowed players to run routes or practice catching by themselves, operating with basic machinery and not utilizing any software. Laura Stevens, Washington Post, 15 Aug. 2022 Logan International Airport lugging a hefty contraption, built like a tiny tank, that immediately drew the attention of airport security officers. Edward Chen, STAT, 13 July 2022 It’s a carnival in movie form: a grand, restless, swirling contraption that’s as grotesque as any bloody-mouthed geek and as uncomfortably poignant as a sad clown. K. Austin Collins, Rolling Stone, 24 June 2022 Now a world-record-holding contraption — a 16,000-square-foot bounce house — is heading to metro Detroit. Layla Mcmurtrie, Detroit Free Press, 6 June 2022 To put the fantastical contraption to the test at Goodwood, Le Mans–winning driver Romain Dumas is suiting up in the cockpit of the SuperVan 4. Sasha Richie, Car and Driver, 23 June 2022 The consensus among the group was that the newfangled contraption would never amount to anything. Gary Kamiya, San Francisco Chronicle, 10 June 2022 But the contraption failed to catch on, perhaps because smells could travel back up the pipe. Amanda Foreman, WSJ, 9 June 2022 See More Word History Etymology perhaps blend of contrivance, trap, and invention First Known Use circa 1825, in the meaning defined above Kids Definition contraption noun con·trap·tion kən-ˈtrap-shən : gadget contraptions noun plural of contraption as in gadgets an interesting and often novel device with a practical use built a contraption for automatically buttering toast Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance gadgets gizmos tools appliances contrivances mechanisms inventions innovations accessories gismos instruments gimmicks widgets jiggers implements ingenuities utensils tricks thingamajigs doohickeys thingamabobs doohickies doodads thingummies dinguses adjuncts accessaries thingumajigs hickeys hootenannies
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contraption

noun

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Kids Definition

noun

noun