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

Synonyms

• equipment
• gear
• apparatus

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

Baesakul symbolized the interconnection of humans and nature through an interlaced motif interpreted as leather lacing or metal hardware and applied to contemporary shapes that take cues from the Eiffel Tower’s silhouette, the curve of a capybara’s back or even the form of Baesakul’s pet corgi. —Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2025

The maker of computer networking hardware for consumers, businesses, and service providers had occupied 142,700 square feet. —George Avalos, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025

For a recent Trim Tech Designs project, Dyer, the senior designer, provided the custom cabinetry, cabinet hardware, brass toe kicks, ladder/ladder rail system, and custom-built the hat racks. —Michelle Mastro, Architectural Digest, 23 Oct. 2025

Rothy’s The Max Buckle Mary Jane The single fashion item that stood out to me the most from my trip was a pair of red Mary Janes worn by a person on the bus, adorned with edgy gold hardware. —Erin Cavoto, Travel + Leisure, 23 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing hardware

• hardware cloth

Rhymes for hardware

• abwehr
• affair
• affaire
• airfare
• altair
• armchair
• aware
• beware
• bugbear
• carfare
• childcare
• compare

Kids 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