What Is an Appliance? Simple Definition and Common Examples

When we talk about appliance, a device designed to perform a specific household task, usually powered by electricity or gas. Also known as home appliance, it’s anything that makes daily chores easier — like washing your clothes, cooking food, or keeping your food cold. You don’t need a degree to know one when you see it, but not everything that plugs in counts. A toaster? Appliance. A phone charger? Not one. An appliance is built for a single, repeated job around the house, and it’s usually meant to last years — if you take care of it.

Most home appliances, devices used in residential settings to automate routine tasks fall into two groups: big ones and small ones. The big ones — like washing machines, appliances that clean laundry using water and mechanical action, refrigerators, cooling units that preserve food at low temperatures, or electric ovens, kitchen units that bake or roast food using electric heating elements — are built into your home’s setup. They’re heavy, expensive, and often need professional help when they break. The small ones — microwaves, kettles, blenders — are portable, cheaper, and sometimes easier to fix yourself. But they all serve the same purpose: to save you time and effort.

Knowing what counts as an appliance helps you make smarter choices. If your oven stops heating, you don’t just need a handyman — you need someone who understands how the heating element, thermostat, or control board works. If your washing machine won’t spin, it’s not a plumbing issue — it’s an appliance problem. That’s why repair specialists focus on these machines specifically. They know the parts, the risks, and the common failure points. And that’s exactly what you’ll find in the articles below: real fixes for real problems. From resetting a freezer compressor to deciding whether to repair a 10-year-old oven, these posts cut through the noise. No fluff. Just clear, practical advice on keeping your appliances running — or knowing when it’s time to let them go.