hack

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 off He gets really hacked off when people cheat.

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

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

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

4a : to write computer programs for enjoyment

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

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

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

b : a writer who works on order also : a writer who aims solely for commercial success

c : hacker sense 2 a tennis hack