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
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
With more sophisticated hardware and a budding content portfolio, Bertrand Nepveu, a former Vision Pro contributor and partner at Triptyq Capital, said wider adoption is crucial.
—
Liam Reilly, CNN Money, 12 July 2025
The developer of what would be the first new coal mine in Wyoming in decades plans to process the fossil fuel to extract hard-to-get metals that are crucial for tech products and military hardware.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 11 July 2025
The company also produces hardware, Xbox consoles, and the Edge web browser.
—Rachel Barber, USA Today, 11 July 2025
Produced and delivered to her a year later, the original Birkin features several elements that set it apart from the ones that followed, including its nail clippers, bottom studs, gilded brass hardware and nonremovable strap.
—Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for hardware
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Liam Reilly, CNN Money, 12 July 2025
The developer of what would be the first new coal mine in Wyoming in decades plans to process the fossil fuel to extract hard-to-get metals that are crucial for tech products and military hardware.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 11 July 2025
The company also produces hardware, Xbox consoles, and the Edge web browser.
—Rachel Barber, USA Today, 11 July 2025
Produced and delivered to her a year later, the original Birkin features several elements that set it apart from the ones that followed, including its nail clippers, bottom studs, gilded brass hardware and nonremovable strap.
—Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for hardware
Cite this Entry
“Hardware.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hardware. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share