contraption

noun

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

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What exactly is a contraption?

In the words of one Little Mermaid, “I’ve got gadgets and gizmos a-plenty.” It would have been on-theme (though perhaps a bit clunky) for the aquatic princess to include in her siren song the word contraption. Synonymous with both gadget and gizmo, and widget too, in referring to mechanical and electronic devices, contraption is also one of a raft of terms people reach for when talking about various human-made bits and bobs, whether mechanical or not. (It's thought to have possibly been formed as a blend of contrivance, trap, and invention.) Want more thingamabob words? Try doohickey, thingamajig, dingus, or doodad.

Examples of contraption in a Sentence

The people wondered how the contraption worked. built a contraption for automatically buttering toast
Recent Examples on the Web The contraption is equipped with two robot arms on each side of the table and will sit right at home in any sci-fi flick's medical examination room. Brenda Stolyar, WIRED, 13 Mar. 2024 There is no archaeological evidence that the contraption existed, as Sener noted in his paper, but many have tried to recreate the mechanism to see if the ancient invention could be feasible. Taylor Nicioli, CNN, 8 Mar. 2024 Dissatisfied with the current options for women and other people with vulvas, the founders of Boom Home Medical set out to create a comfortable and colorful personal urination device that doesn’t look like a contraption out of a hospital room. Popular Science, 29 Nov. 2023 The funky contraptions look more like recumbent bikes than your standard bicycle with chairs as opposed to bicycle seats, all pieced together into a quad. Kylie Martin, Detroit Free Press, 26 Feb. 2024 Users frequently complain the bulky contraptions prove uncomfortable to wear for long periods, trigger nauseating bouts of motion sickness, and lack compelling content. Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 14 Feb. 2024 The head was made of black polystyrene, the wing folds were made of black elastic stocking, and the whole contraption was covered in felt. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 6 Feb. 2024 Over the next 1,000 years, sunlight that enters the contraption will slowly fade a light-sensitive surface covered in an oil paint pigment called rose madder, resulting in an extremely long-exposure image of the landscape. Julia Binswanger, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Feb. 2024 Extensive research on the hundreds of Jewish artists who have made an art historical impact revealed a surprising nucleus of multifaceted art that addresses machines, instruments, and contraptions. Julia Couzens, Sacramento Bee, 30 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'contraption.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

perhaps blend of contrivance, trap, and invention

First Known Use

circa 1825, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of contraption was circa 1825

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Dictionary Entries Near contraption

Cite this Entry

“Contraption.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contraption. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

contraption

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

More from Merriam-Webster on contraption

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