hardness

noun

hard·​ness ˈhärd-nəs How to pronounce hardness (audio)
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

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 The Vince Staples Show is frequently laugh-out-loud funny, but there’s a hardness to it — and the series’ protagonist — that feels both unexpected and authentic. Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 15 Feb. 2024 During that time, most of the minerals are separated out, so the ice has extremely low levels of hardness and few, if any, impurities. Tori Latham, Robb Report, 1 Feb. 2024 In the realm of plastics processing, a firm can achieve a competitive edge through its in-depth expertise in material properties, such as durability and hardness. Maximilian Kramer, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024 Calcium is a mineral that supports your bone and teeth structure and hardness. Health Editorial Team, Health, 9 Feb. 2024 In an update provided on September 6, 2023, Exponent confirmed that certain material formulations used in the O-ring rubber could lose hardness over time. Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 2 Oct. 2023 On what’s known as the Mohs hardness scale, pumice is 6.0 to 6.5, only slightly higher than glass, at 5.5. Jeanne Huber, Washington Post, 5 Jan. 2024 The rock is incredibly tough, ranking about 4.7 on the Mohs hardness scale (about half as hard as diamond). Samuel Axon and Ron Amadeo, Ars Technica, 5 June 2023 This filter has a 64,000 grain water softener that minimizes scale and spot build up while treating hardness in your water supply. Andrea Wurzburger, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hardness.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of hardness was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near hardness

Cite this Entry

“Hardness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hardness. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

hardness

noun
hard·​ness ˈhärd-nəs How to pronounce hardness (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on hardness

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