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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
Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 25 Feb. 2025
The Steinbeck plaque was face up in a metal contraption called a casting flask.
—Michael Schulman, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025
Theater chains are dreaming up more and more whimsical—and, in some cases, distracting—contraptions in hopes of capturing attention.
—Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 26 Nov. 2024
This 2,000-tonne contraption would be lowered on a string of pipe weighing 2,000 tonnes, and grapple the wreck weighing 4,000 tonnes.
—David Szondy, New Atlas, 4 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contraption
Cite this Entry
“Contraption.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contraption. Accessed 6 Mar. 2025.
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contraption
noun
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