contraption

American  

[kuhn-trap-shuhn] / kənˈtræp ʃən /

noun

1. a mechanical contrivance; gadget; device.

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contraption British  

/ kənˈtræpʃən /

noun

1. informal  a device or contrivance, esp one considered strange, unnecessarily intricate, or improvised

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Other Word Forms

• contraptious adjective

Etymology

Origin of contraption

First recorded in 1815–25; perhaps contr(ivance) + (ad)aption, variant of adaptation

Example Sentences

The object of Mouse Trap, a board game featuring a Rube Goldberg-style contraption, is to catch plastic mice.

From The Wall Street Journal

The combined contraption will fit in most overhead compartments, but the compact size requires some sacrifices.

From The Wall Street Journal

The superstar actor occasionally joined the huddle of people trying to troubleshoot with the contraption.

From The Wall Street Journal

They install heat cables in the soil to keep their pumpkins warm, build contraptions to cover them from the sun and add grow-lights for cloudy days.

From The Wall Street Journal

Crowds hoot and cheer as the contraptions float into the darkening sky, while referees judge the magnificence of their aerial explosions.

From Barron's

Related Words

• appliance
• contrivance
• gadget
• gizmo
• rig