APPLIANCE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does appliance mean? 

• APPLIANCE (noun)
  The noun APPLIANCE has 2 senses:

1. a device or control that is very useful for a particular job

2. durable goods for home or office use

  Familiarity information: APPLIANCE used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• APPLIANCE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A device or control that is very useful for a particular job

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

appliance; contraption; contrivance; convenience; gadget; gismo; gizmo; widget

Hypernyms ("appliance" is a kind of...):

device (an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "appliance"):

gadgetry (appliances collectively)

gimbal (an appliance that allows an object (such as a ship's compass) to remain horizontal even as its support tips)

injector (a contrivance for injecting (e.g., water into the boiler of a steam engine or particles into an accelerator etc.))

mod con (modern convenience; the appliances and conveniences characteristic of a modern house)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Durable goods for home or office use

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("appliance" is a kind of...):

consumer durables; durable goods; durables (consumer goods that are not destroyed by use)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "appliance"):

drier; dryer (an appliance that removes moisture)

home appliance; household appliance (an appliance that does a particular job in the home)

A/C; air-conditioner; air conditioner (an appliance designed to extract humidity from the air and thereby cool it)

humidifier (an appliance designed to add moisture to the air in a building)

dehumidifier (an applicance to extract moisture from the air and make the environment more comfortable)

 Context examples 

Do make sure your electrical appliances and cords are in good condition.

(Fire Safety, NIH)

A manufacturer of laboratory freezers and other appliances designed for medical and scientific applications.

(Forma, NCI Thesaurus)

Researchers are studying whether the EMFs from power lines, electrical appliances, and wireless and cellular telephones can cause cancer or other harmful health effects.

(EMF, NCI Dictionary)

Researchers are studying whether the electromagnetic fields from power lines, electrical appliances, and wireless and cellular telephones can cause cancer or other harmful health effects.

(Electromagnetic field, NCI Dictionary)

Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI) Aids or devices that you usually use for any of these activities - Long-handled appliances for reach.

(HAQ-DI - Aids or Devices - Long-Handled Appliances for Reach, NCI Thesaurus)

Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI) Aids or devices that you usually use for any of these activities - Long-handled appliances in bathroom.

(HAQ-DI - Aids or Devices - Long-Handled Appliances in Bathroom, NCI Thesaurus)

Phosphoric acid is used in dentistry and orthodontics as an etching solution, to clean and roughen the surfaces of teeth where dental appliances or fillings will be placed.

(Phosphoric acid, NCI Thesaurus)

An extraoral orthodontic appliance designed to create traction for growth modification, tooth movement and anchorage.

(Orthodontic Headgear, NCI Thesaurus)

A component of a reverse-pull or protraction orthodontic appliance that distributes force across much of the face.

(Orthodontic Facemask, NCI Thesaurus)

An orthodontic appliance designed to correct misaligned teeth.

(Orthodontic Braces, NCI Thesaurus)