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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.
Synonyms
Examples of contraption in a Sentence
Joseph J. Ellis, The Mercury News, 31 Oct. 2024
In an era of smartphones, fitness tracking watches and always-listening speakers, there’s no shortage of contraptions to wake us up via an assortment of sounds.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2024
The flying contraption seats two people—Fritz, who got his pilot’s license for this very purpose, and one of the two foster parents, who trade off on sky duty.
—Carin Leong, Scientific American, 16 Oct. 2024
Clamping a giant waffle iron-looking contraption close to your scalp?
—Kat Merck, WIRED, 9 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for contraption 
Dictionary Entries Near contraption
Cite this Entry
“Contraption.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contraption. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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contraption
noun
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