hardware

noun

hard·​ware ˈhärd-ˌwer How to pronounce hardware (audio)
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
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.
The Pixel 10 Pro line (including the regular Pro, and both the Pro XL and Pro Fold) will introduce new features in hardware and software, as with any manufacturer’s launch of a flagship device. Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2025 Google's platform and hardware could use more time to mature here. Iyaz Akhtar, PC Magazine, 16 Aug. 2025 Created in 2019, the specification had languished in relative obscurity for years because the cheap, plentiful non-Express microSD cards were generally fast enough for the things that people were using them for, and because most hardware didn't support microSD Express cards in the first place. Andrew Cunningham, ArsTechnica, 15 Aug. 2025 Mission slipped into 2025 because ULA needed more Vulcan rocket hardware beyond Cert-2 and the two USSF missions that took priority over the Dream Chaser flight. Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hardware

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hardware was in the 15th century

Cite this Entry

“Hardware.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hardware. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

hardware

noun
hard·​ware ˈhär-ˌdwa(ə)r How to pronounce hardware (audio)
-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

More from Merriam-Webster on hardware

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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