hardness

noun

hard·​ness ˈhärd-nəs 

1

: the quality or state of being hard

2

a

: the cohesion of the particles on the surface of a mineral as determined by its capacity to scratch another or be itself scratched compare mohs' scale

b

: resistance of metal to indentation under a static load or to scratching

Synonyms

• adversity
• asperity
• difficulty
• hardship
• rigor

Examples of hardness in a Sentence

the hardness of a diamond

The wood's hardness makes it suitable for carving.

Recent Examples on the Web

Even though a comprehensive understanding of computational hardness remains elusive, cryptographers have recently made exciting progress toward a unified theory of one-way functions. —Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 18 Apr. 2024

In the early 20th century, products like celluloid could imitate ivory’s hardness. —Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 14 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing hardness

• Brinell hardness
• Brinell hardness number

Kids Definition

hardness

noun

hard·​ness ˈhärd-nəs 

1

: the quality or state of being hard

2

: the ability of a substance (as a mineral) to scratch another substance or be itself scratched