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appliance

noun
ap·​pli·​ance | \ ə-ˈplī-ən(t)s How to pronounce appliance (audio) \
plural appliances

Definition of appliance

1 : an act of applying
2a : a piece of equipment for adapting a tool or machine to a special purpose : attachment
b : an instrument or device designed for a particular use or function an orthodontic appliance specifically : a household or office device (such as a stove, fan, or refrigerator) operated by gas or electric current
c British : fire engine
d : an artificial part or mask that is worn as part of an actor's makeup or costume … more grown-ups are shelling out for scary facial appliances—wounds, snouts and horns—to create the creepy characters they've dreamed up on their own.— Dana Coffield
e computing : information appliance A growing number of companies are coming up with ways [in 2000] to turn ordinary phones into Internet appliances.— Sharon Cleary
3 obsolete : compliance
Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about appliance

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Choose the Right Synonym for appliance

implement, tool, instrument, appliance, utensil mean a relatively simple device for performing work. implement may apply to anything necessary to perform a task. crude stone implements farm implements tool suggests an implement adapted to facilitate a definite kind or stage of work and suggests the need of skill more strongly than implement. a carpenter's tools instrument suggests a device capable of delicate or precise work. the dentist's instruments appliance refers to a tool or instrument utilizing a power source and suggests portability or temporary attachment. household appliances utensil applies to a device used in domestic work or some routine unskilled activity. kitchen utensils

Examples of appliance in a Sentence

All household appliances are now on sale. since the invention of the cork, all manner of appliances have been invented for the extraction of these sometimes troublesome stoppers

Recent Examples on the Web

 Neighbors have furnished it with original furniture and appliances from the 1930s. — Washington Post, "In one unusual Virginia neighborhood, roots stretch to the first Africans in America," 21 Aug. 2019 Home & Life and Sears Hometown stores are located in smaller markets and focus on appliances, mattresses, home goods and tools, featuring brands like Craftsman and Kenmore. — Lorraine Mirabella, baltimoresun.com, "Sears will close Security Square Mall store," 8 Aug. 2019 Best Buy: Best Buy watches Home Depot’s deals closely and will likely follow suit with deep discounts on appliances. — Megan Barber, Curbed, "Early Labor Day deals from Amazon, Walmart, and more," 8 Aug. 2019 Scientists have been urging the public to use heightened concern over quakes to get prepared, including planning for a home or apartment retrofit and furniture and heavy appliances to walls. — Los Angeles Times, "More than 80,000 aftershocks and counting: Ridgecrest earthquakes keep shaking," 23 July 2019 Two South Korean companies, LG and Samsung, set up washing-machine factories in the United States after the Trump administration imposed tariffs on those appliances in response to a complaint by Whirlpool. — Peter Eavis, New York Times, "These Companies Wanted Tariffs. How Are They Faring Now?," 10 July 2019 Home sales in metro Denver were down 14 percent in June compared to a year ago, and Silverstein said that is weighing on purchases of furniture, appliances and other items. — Aldo Svaldi, The Denver Post, "Metro Denver now behind Kansas City for job growth," 9 July 2019 When power is restored, turn on appliances one at a time. — Ethan Baron, The Mercury News, "PG&E says you should prepare before the power goes out," 21 June 2019 Exantus is a generalist, scouring yard sales for bargains on old appliances and leftover construction supplies. — Rowan Moore Gerety, Harper's magazine, "Downstream," 10 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'appliance.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of appliance

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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More Definitions for appliance

appliance

noun
How to pronounce appliance (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of appliance

: a machine (such as a stove, microwave, or dishwasher) that is powered by electricity and that is used in people's houses to perform a particular job

See the full definition for appliance in the English Language Learners Dictionary

appliance

noun
ap·​pli·​ance | \ ə-ˈplī-əns How to pronounce appliance (audio) \

Kids Definition of appliance

: a piece of household equipment that performs a particular job

appliance

noun
ap·​pli·​ance | \ ə-ˈplī-ən(t)s How to pronounce appliance (audio) \

Medical Definition of appliance

: an instrument or device designed for a particular use prosthetic appliances an orthodontic appliance used to move misaligned teeth into proper occlusion

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