input device

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

input device
    n 1: a device that can be used to insert data into a computer or
         other computational device [syn: {data input device},
         {input device}]

from The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)

input device

   <hardware> A {peripheral} used to transfer data from the
   outside world into a computer system.  Some input devices are
   operated directly by the user, e.g. {keyboard}, {mouse},
   {touch screen}, {joystick}, {digitising tablet}, {microphone};
   others are sensors or transducers which convert external
   signals into data, e.g. using an {ananlog to digital
   converter} (this would also be true of a microphone).  Other
   kinds of inputs are really one half of a bidirectional link
   with another computer or storage device, e.g. {serial line},
   {SCSI} interface.

   (1996-11-03)