contrivance

IPA: kʌntrˈaɪvʌns

A (mechanical) device to perform a certain task.
A means, such as an elaborate plan or strategy, to accomplish a certain objective.
Something overly artful or artificial.

Examples of "contrivance" in Sentences

This was a contrivance for the radio.
That contrivance serves the end of advertising.
It is a contrivance that was there from the start.
The contrivance is seen to hold a function, and it is recognized by its inherent design.
What else would you call a contrivance that can take you to cities where ancient civilizations once flourished?
The life of this contrivance is short when used in open stopes, owing to the dangers of bombardment from blasting.
All mechanical contrivance is habit materialised; it is continued action without any effort of will, except in the beginning.
When the level of narrative contrivance is such that anything can happen or be forgotten in the space of a week, then nothing matters.
Although the Down East accents of the lyrics are a Hammerstein contrivance, the setting is harshly realistic in ways we tend to forget, perhaps because we usually think of Maine as a scenic travel destination.
A contrivance is some abstract contortion that is said to describe reality, except that the contrivance comes with a felt emotionality that may invite deeper revelation, or the emotionality may come off as deceptive.
Sir Thomas had indeed proposed to her at the ball, an event which reflected great credit on her mama's sagacity, if not upon her skill in contrivance; I rather incline to the belief that she had first laid her plans, and then predicted their success.