ap·pli·ance n.
2. A dental or surgical device designed to perform a therapeutic or corrective function.1. A device or instrument designed to perform a specific function, especially an electrical device, such as a toaster, for household use.
1. a machine or device, esp an electrical one used domestically
2. (Engineering / General Engineering) any piece of equipment having a specific function
3. (Engineering / General Engineering) a device fitted to a machine or tool to adapt it for a specific purpose
4. (Engineering / Automotive Engineering) another name for a fire engine
Syn.
1. appliance - a device or control that is very useful for a particular job
gadget, contraption, contrivance, gismo, gizmo, widget, convenience
device - an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose; "the device is small enough to wear on your wrist"; "a device intended to conserve water"
gadgetry - appliances collectively; "laborsaving gadgetry"
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
2. appliance - durable goods for home or office use
dryer, drier - an appliance that removes moisture
consumer durables, durable goods, durables - consumer goods that are not destroyed by use
home appliance, household appliance - an appliance that does a particular job in the home
1. device, machine, tool, instrument, implement, mechanism, apparatus, gadget, waldo He could learn to use the washing machine and other household appliances.
2. application, use, practice, exercise, employment, discharge, implementation, accomplishment, fulfilment, exertion, utilization They were the result of the intellectual appliance of science.
