input device meaning

WInput device

In computing, an input device is a peripheral (piece of computer hardware equipment) used to provide data and control signals to an information processing system such as a computer or other information appliance.
Many input devices can be classified according to:
modality of input (e.g. mechanical motion, audio, visual, etc.)
whether the input is discrete (e.g. key presses) or continuous (e.g. a mouse's position, though digitized into a discrete quantity, is fast enough to be considered continuous)
the number of degrees of freedom involved (e.g. two-dimensional traditional mice, or three-dimensional navigators designed for CAD applications)

Definition of input device in English Dictionary

NounPLinput devicesSUF-ice
1. (computing) Any of many hardware devices that generate and/or interface input (from a user or elsewhere) to a computer.