Device vs. Equipment — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 14, 2023
A device is a specific tool or implement, often with a specialized function, while equipment refers to a broader set of tools or machinery used for a particular purpose.
Difference Between Device and Equipment
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A device is typically a singular, specialized tool or instrument designed for a particular function or use. Devices often serve specific roles, such as enabling communication or measuring a particular parameter. Equipment, conversely, encompasses a broader range of tools, machinery, or other apparatus necessary for a specific activity or purpose.
While a device can be manually operated or powered by another source, it often implies a more intricate design or mechanism than simple tools. Equipment, on the other hand, can range from simple tools to complex machinery. Equipment usually implies items required collectively to fulfill a specific operation or function.
In the realm of technology, a device often refers to gadgets or electronic items like smartphones or tablets. Equipment, in a technological context, might mean the entirety of apparatuses in a laboratory or the comprehensive machinery in a manufacturing plant.
One might carry a device around for personal use, such as a medical device like an inhaler for asthma. However, the term equipment can refer to the complete set of devices and tools someone might need for a particular task, like the equipment in a doctor's clinic which would include multiple devices and instruments.
Comparison Chart
Scope
Singular, specific item
Collection or set of tools/machinery
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Complexity
Often intricate in design
Can range from simple tools to complex machinery
Usage in Technology
Refers to gadgets like smartphones
Refers to entirety of apparatuses in a setting
Portability
Often portable
Can be both portable and fixed
Relation to Function
Designed for a specific function
Necessary tools for a particular operation or function
Compare with Definitions
Device
An invention or contraption designed to perform a function.
The new cleaning device made chores easier.
Equipment
Tools, machinery, or other durable resources.
The gym had state-of-the-art workout equipment.
Device
Can be manually operated or powered.
The medical device alerted the patient to take medication.
Equipment
Broad in scope, covering multiple items or tools.
The camping equipment included tents, stoves, and lanterns.
Device
A thing made or adapted for a particular purpose, especially a piece of mechanical or electronic equipment
A measuring device
Equipment
The necessary items for a particular purpose.
The laboratory was stocked with the latest equipment.
Device
A plan, method, or trick with a particular aim
Writing a letter to a newspaper is a traditional device for signalling dissent
Equipment
Used in various industries to indicate essentials.
Safety equipment is mandatory on construction sites.
Device
A drawing or design
The decorative device on the invitations
Equipment
The act of equipping or the state of being equipped
Responsible for the rapid equipment of the troops.
Device
An object designed and manufactured to perform one or more functions.
Equipment
Something with which a person, organization, or thing is equipped
The athletes keep their equipment in the locker room.
Device
A literary contrivance, such as parallelism or personification, used to achieve a particular effect.
Equipment
The rolling stock especially of a transportation system.
Device
A decorative design, figure, or pattern, as one used in embroidery.
Equipment
The mental and emotional resources of an individual
Doesn't have the equipment to cope.
Device
A graphic symbol or motto, especially in heraldry.
Equipment
The act of equipping, or the state of being equipped, as for a voyage or expedition.
Device
A plan or scheme for accomplishing something
“Now Lydgate might have called at the warehouse, or might have written a message on a leaf of his pocket-book and left it at the door. Yet these simple devices apparently did not occur to him” (George Eliot).
Equipment
Any items used in equipping something or someone, for example things needed for an expedition or voyage.
We need more gardening equipment if we want to properly landscape our yard, not just a rake and some gloves.
The sports shop sells different kits of famous clubs, and equipment from all kind of sports.
Device
Any piece of equipment made for a particular purpose, especially a mechanical or electrical one.
Equipment
The male genitalia.
Device
(computer hardware) A peripheral device; an item of hardware.
Equipment
The act of equipping, or the state of being equipped, as for a voyage or expedition.
The equipment of the fleet was hastened by De Witt.
Device
A project or scheme, often designed to deceive; a stratagem; an artifice.
Equipment
Whatever is used in equipping; necessaries for an expedition or voyage; the collective designation for the articles comprising an outfit; equipage; as, a railroad equipment (locomotives, cars, etc. ; for carrying on business); horse equipments; infantry equipments; naval equipments; laboratory equipments.
Armed and dight,In the equipments of a knight.
Device
(Ireland) An improvised explosive device, home-made bomb
Equipment
An instrumentality needed for an undertaking or to perform a service
Device
(rhetoric) A technique that an author or speaker uses to evoke an emotional response in the audience; a rhetorical device.
Equipment
Collective set of apparatuses.
The film crew brought all their equipment to the set.
Device
(heraldry) A motto, emblem, or other mark used to distinguish the bearer from others. A device differs from a badge or cognizance primarily as it is a personal distinction, and not a badge borne by members of the same house successively.
Device
(archaic) Power of devising; invention; contrivance.
Device
(legal) An image used in whole or in part as a trademark or service mark.
Device
(printing) An image or logo denoting official or proprietary authority or provenience.
Device
(obsolete) A spectacle or show.
Device
(obsolete) Opinion; decision.
Device
That which is devised, or formed by design; a contrivance; an invention; a project; a scheme; often, a scheme to deceive; a stratagem; an artifice.
His device in against Babylon, to destroy it.
Their recent device of demanding benevolences.
He disappointeth the devices of the crafty.
Device
Power of devising; invention; contrivance.
I must have instruments of my own device.
Device
An emblematic design, generally consisting of one or more figures with a motto, used apart from heraldic bearings to denote the historical situation, the ambition, or the desire of the person adopting it. See Cognizance.
Knights-errant used to distinguish themselves by devices on their shields.
A banner with this strange device -Excelsior.
Device
Anything fancifully conceived.
Device
A spectacle or show.
Device
Opinion; decision.
Device
Any artifactual object designed to perform an action or process, with or without an operator in attendance.
Device
An instrumentality invented for a particular purpose;
The device is small enough to wear on your wrist
A device intended to conserve water
Device
Something in an artistic work designed to achieve a particular effect
Device
Any clever (deceptive) maneuver;
He would stoop to any device to win a point
Device
Any ornamental pattern or design (as in embroidery)
Device
An emblematic design (especially in heraldry);
He was recognized by the device on his shield
Device
A particular tool or implement with a specific use.
She used a device to measure her blood pressure.
Device
Often electronic in nature.
His new device could store thousands of songs.
Device
Usually intricate in its design or mechanism.
The locking device provided added security.
Common Curiosities
Can equipment consist of multiple devices?
Yes, equipment can encompass several devices.
Is a device always electronic?
No, while many devices are electronic, not all are.
Can a device be part of equipment?
Yes, for example, a blood pressure monitor (device) is part of medical equipment.
Is equipment always large or heavy?
No, equipment can vary in size and weight.
What might be referred to as gym equipment?
Treadmills, dumbbells, and exercise machines are examples of gym equipment.
Can a device function independently?
Yes, devices are often designed to function independently.
Is a smartphone a device or equipment?
A smartphone is considered a device.
Would a pen be called a device?
Typically, a pen is just referred to as a tool or instrument, not a device.
What’s an example of kitchen equipment?
Ovens, mixers, and blenders are examples of kitchen equipment.
Is "equipment" singular or plural?
"Equipment" is an uncountable noun and is treated as singular.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
