hack

verb (1)

Save Word

\ ˈhak

hacked; hacking; hacks

Definition of hack

(Entry 1 of 7)

transitive verb

1a : to cut or sever with repeated irregular or unskillful blows

b : to cut or shape by or as if by crude or ruthless strokes hacking out new election districts

c : annoy, vex —often used with offHe gets really hacked off when people cheat.

2 : to clear or make by or as if by cutting away vegetation hacked his way through the brush

3a informal : to manage successfully just couldn't hack the new job

b informal : tolerate I can't hack all this noise

4 : to gain illegal access to (a computer network, system, etc.) In the last decade they have hacked computer networks in Estonia, Ukraine, Poland, Germany, France, and Bulgaria—often stealing data. — The New York Times … perhaps I would have become one of those lost souls wandering the basement of MIT playing with computers and hacking the telephone network.— Lee Smolin

intransitive verb

1a : to make chopping strokes or blows hacked at the weeds also : to make cuts as if by chopping hacking away at the work force

b : to play inexpert golf

2 : to cough in a short dry manner

3 : loaf —usually used with aroundhacking around at the corner drugstore— Ruth McKenney

4a : to write computer programs for enjoyment

b : to gain access to a computer illegally trying to hack into the network

hack it

1 : cope entry 1 sense 1a I can't hack it any longer.

2 : to be successful couldn't hack it in the world of professional sports

hack

noun (1)

Definition of hack (Entry 2 of 7)

1 : a tool for rough cutting or chopping : an implement for hacking

2 : nick, notch

3 : a short dry cough

4 : a rough or irregular cutting stroke : a hacking blow

5 : restriction to quarters as punishment for naval officers —usually used in the phrase under hack

6a : a usually creatively improvised solution to a computer hardware or programming problem or limitation … the 33 MHz processor that powers these PDAs is too weak to drive MP3 music files. Sony created a neat hack: it added a digital-signal processing chip that bypasses the operating system.— Josh Quittner

b : an act or instance of gaining or attempting to gain illegal access to a computer or computer system Methods for protecting what needs to be protected are available in the marketplace and work very well. Most security breaches are insider jobs, not hacks.— Samuel L. Earp The center is divided into seven directorates. Among these is the Air Force Computer Emergency Response Team, whose nonclassified function is to report vulnerabilities and security violations such as hacks and virus incidents.— Jim Wilson Almost 100 million cars … are vulnerable to numerous hacks that could let thieves unlock them remotely through a wireless signal…— Cara McGoogan

c : a clever tip or technique for doing or improving something We asked entrepreneurs across industries to share their favorite productivity hacks, from useful organization apps to clever tricks for cutting down meeting times.— Richard Feloni — see also life hack

hack

noun (2)

Definition of hack (Entry 3 of 7)

1a : hackney sense 2

b(1) : taxicab

(2) : cabdriver

2a(1) : a horse let out for common hire

(2) : a horse used in all kinds of work

b : a horse worn out in service : jade

c : a light easy saddle horse especially : a three-gaited saddle horse

d : a ride on a horse

3a : a person who works solely for mercenary reasons : hireling party hacks