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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
Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 30 Apr. 2026
The contraption was notably simple, engineering experts told Fox News Digital, and didn't reflect particularly advanced mechanical engineering for a graduating senior at Caltech.
—Asra Q. Nomani , Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2026
When repeatedly tested on the magician's stovepipe chapeau, the contraption — which was intended to make the hat disappear — seemingly failed.
—Matt Cabral, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Apr. 2026
There are a million and one videos of ag workers across Asia using the engines—often sourced from Yanmar and Kubota—to power wagons and irrigation pumps, among other contraptions.
—Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contraption
Cite this Entry
“Contraption.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contraption. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
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contraption
noun
