hardware

noun

hard·​ware ˈhärd-ˌwer 

1

: ware (such as fittings, cutlery, tools, utensils, or parts of machines) made of metal

2

: major items of equipment or their components used for a particular purpose

educational hardware

: such as

a

: military equipment

b

: the physical components (such as electronic and electrical devices) of a vehicle (such as a spacecraft) or an apparatus (such as a computer)

3

: an award (such as a trophy, medal, or cup) given in a sports competition

Synonyms

• equipment
• gear
• apparatus

Examples of hardware in a Sentence

She bought some new hardware for her system.

gathered together the hardware needed to set up a first aid station at the finish line for the marathon

Recent Examples on the Web

While the implant relies on this software, Seo pointed to the company's hardware as its big differentiator compared with rival brain-computer interface (BCI) companies. —PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2025

In 2022, Lyft Urban Solutions bought the hardware and software firm that spun out from Montreal’s bike-sharing program. —Merrill Fabry, Time, 9 Oct. 2025

Tracking down a cheat code, on the other hand, feels more like going to the hardware store and asking for help to install your own light switch. —ArsTechnica, 9 Oct. 2025

The company is inviting research partners and developers to build upon its hardware platform, add custom tooling, and run their own software for specialized applications. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 8 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing hardware

• hardware cloth

Rhymes for hardware

• abwehr
• affair
• affaire
• airfare
• altair
• armchair
• aware
• beware
• bugbear
• carfare
• childcare
• compare

Kids Definition

hardware

noun

hard·​ware ˈhär-ˌdwa(ə)r 

-ˌdwe(ə)r

1

: articles (as fittings, cutlery, tools, utensils, or parts of machines) made of metal

2

: the equipment used for a particular purpose

computer hardware

military hardware