hardening

noun

hard·​en·​ing ˈhärd-niŋ 

ˈhär-dᵊn-iŋ

: sclerosis sense 1

hardening of the arteries

Examples of hardening in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Graham died Saturday at the age of 71 of what was preliminarily diagnosed as a rupture of his aorta due to a hardening of his arteries, his office said. — Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 14 July 2026

And yet, Lestat is so palpably alive, which makes the vocal hardening all the more affecting. — Hannah Giorgis Yohannes, Vanity Fair, 13 July 2026

Danagoulian also suggests that high-grade radiation hardening could improve satellites' chances of surviving a nuclear winter in space. — Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 8 July 2026

The Ounce of Prevention Act would allow Community Development Block Grant funds to be used for resilience and hardening projects, helping communities prepare before disaster strikes. — Grace Hase, Mercury News, 1 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hardening

• gardening
• pardoning

Kids Definition

hardening

noun

hard·​en·​ing

: sclerosis

hardening of the arteries

Medical Definition

hardening

noun

hard·​en·​ing ˈhärd-niŋ, -ᵊn-iŋ 

: sclerosis sense 1

hardening of the arteries