appliance
noun
ap·pli·ance
ə-ˈplī-ən(t)s 
plural appliances
1
: an act of applying
2
a
: a piece of equipment for adapting a tool or machine to a special purpose : attachment
b
: an instrument or device designed for a particular use or function
an orthodontic appliance
specifically
: a household or office device (such as a stove, fan, or refrigerator) operated by gas or electric current
c
British
: fire engine
d
: an artificial part or mask that is worn as part of an actor's makeup or costume
… more grown-ups are shelling out for scary facial appliances—wounds, snouts and horns—to create the creepy characters they've dreamed up on their own.—
Dana Coffield
Dana Coffield
e
computing
: information appliance
A growing number of companies are coming up with ways [in 2000] to turn ordinary phones into Internet appliances.—Sharon Cleary
Sharon Cleary3
obsolete
: compliance
Synonyms
Examples of appliance in a Sentence
All household appliances are now on sale.
since the invention of the cork, all manner of appliances have been invented for the extraction of these sometimes troublesome stoppers
Recent Examples on the Web
Furniture, appliances, and other household items can also be donated to Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore program.
—Whizy Kim, Vox, 19 Nov. 2024
Checking out all the low prices on decor is a good place to start, but don’t forget deals on other bigger items like mattresses, appliances, and more.
—Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 18 Nov. 2024
Videos of the store in other countries show aisles jammed with thousands of products that range from household goods and furniture to appliances, electronics, beauty products, toys and gardening supplies.
—Samantha Gowen, Orange County Register, 18 Nov. 2024
The kitchen comes with a sizable quartz island and Bosch appliances.
—Clio Chang, Curbed, 12 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for appliance 
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Whizy Kim, Vox, 19 Nov. 2024
Checking out all the low prices on decor is a good place to start, but don’t forget deals on other bigger items like mattresses, appliances, and more.
—Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 18 Nov. 2024
Videos of the store in other countries show aisles jammed with thousands of products that range from household goods and furniture to appliances, electronics, beauty products, toys and gardening supplies.
—Samantha Gowen, Orange County Register, 18 Nov. 2024
The kitchen comes with a sizable quartz island and Bosch appliances.
—Clio Chang, Curbed, 12 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for appliance
Dictionary Entries Near appliance
Cite this Entry
“Appliance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/appliance. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
appliance
noun
ap·pli·ance
ə-ˈplī-ən(t)s
1
: a piece of equipment for making a tool or machine suitable for a special purpose : attachment
2
: a device designed for a particular use
a fire-fighting appliance
an appliance serving as an artificial arm
3
: a household device (as a stove, fan, or refrigerator) or piece of office equipment that runs on gas or electricity
Medical Definition
appliance
noun
ap·pli·ance
ə-ˈplī-ən(t)s
: an instrument or device designed for a particular use
prosthetic appliances
an orthodontic appliance used to move misaligned teeth into proper occlusion
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