Key Difference: Device and Equipment are somewhat similar to each other. A device is something made for a purpose, usually a tool, an instrument or equipment. Equipment is the tools or machines necessary for a particular kind of work or activity.
Dictionary.com defines ‘Device’ as:
- A thing made for a particular purpose; an invention or contrivance, especially a mechanical or electrical one.
- A plan or scheme for affecting a purpose.
- A crafty scheme; trick.
- A particular word pattern, figure of speech, combination of word sounds, etc., used in a literary work to evoke a desired effect or arouse a desired reaction in the reader: rhetorical devices.
- Something elaborately or fancifully designed.
Some examples of device are given below:
- You need to connect the device for the Internet connection.
- Is there a radio or another wireless device near the PC?
- Are you going to install a new device to improve the volume?
- A device for opening cans.
According to Dictionary.com ‘Equipment’ is:
- Anything kept, furnished, or provided for a specific purpose.
- The act of equipping a person or thing.
- The state of being equipped.
- The personal knowledge and skill required for a task, occupation, etc.: He has the necessary equipment for law.
- The rolling stock of a railroad.
Equipment can also be a tool or a machine which one actually needs while he is climbing. If an old man who is using a wooden stick for walking, so that wooden stick is also known as equipment.
Some examples of equipment are given below:
- The mechanic could not repair the car because she did not have the right equipment.
- The boy could not afford the equipment necessary for mountaineering.
- Equipment hire is included in the price.
- Are you going to give us extra equipments for climbing?
DEVICE is the equipment or a mechanism used for specific purpose, on the contrary, EQUIPMENT is used for operational purpose, such as Apparatus.
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