contraption

UK: /kənˈtræpʃ^ən/ US: /kənˈtræpʃən/ ,(kən trap′shən)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

con•trap•tion /kənˈtræpʃən/   n. [countable]

1. Informal Terms an odd or strange-looking machine:
   That contraption looks like a sewing machine hooked up to a bicycle.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

con•trap•tion  (kən trap′shən), n. [Informal.]

1. Informal Terms a mechanical contrivance;
   gadget;
   device.

• perh. contr(ivance) + (ad)aption, variant of adaptation 1815–25

con•trap′tious, adj. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

contraption / kənˈtræpʃən/ noun

1. a device or contrivance, esp one considered strange, unnecessarily intricate, or improvised

Etymology: 19th Century: perhaps from con( trivance) + trap¹ + ( inven) tion