gadget

noun

gad·​get ˈga-jət How to pronounce gadget (audio)
Synonyms of gadgetnext
: an often small mechanical or electronic device with a practical use but often thought of as a novelty
gadgetry noun
gadgety adjective

Examples of gadget in a Sentence

The kitchen is equipped with all the latest gadgets. cell phones, pagers, and other gadgets
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Packing this $12 gadget could also save you money on budget airlines that charge an arm and a leg for access to in-flight entertainment. Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 21 Apr. 2026 View gallery - 3 images Aside from being tough as nails, rugged gadgets typically prioritize long battery life, but increasingly, newer models have been adding in specialized tools for fieldwork. New Atlas, 18 Apr. 2026 Explore some of the best gadgets to shop now, designed to save you time, reduce stress, and minimize effort in the kitchen. Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2026 Another regular safety gadget in most homes is a smoke detector. Bestreviews, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gadget

Word History

Etymology

perhaps a sound-symbolic coinage, with final as in fidget entry 1, midget, idjit (nonstandard form of idiot)

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gadget was in 1886

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gadget.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/gadget. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

gadget

noun
gad·​get ˈgaj-ət How to pronounce gadget (audio)
: an interesting, unfamiliar, or unusual device with a practical use
gadgetry noun

More from Merriam-Webster on gadget

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster