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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
David Szondy, New Atlas, 4 Jan. 2025
His vision of Treehouse Town is brimming with imaginative contraptions, like crow’s nests for viewing, air trams, rope swings, trapdoors and sycamore slides.
—Megan Gambino, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Dec. 2024
Vintage Universal Genève watches are truly wonderful contraptions.
—Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 20 Nov. 2024
Van Dien's entire body and face were covered in a caped contraption to look like the upper torso riding a horse without a head.
—Stacy Lambe, People.com, 19 Nov. 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 19 Feb. 2025.
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contraption
noun
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