Definition of hardware
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 asa : military equipmentb : 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
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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 of hardware from the Web
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One way to monitor local rainfall is with a rain gauge, available at any hardware store.
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The tools that helped create the software boom are now proving useful to foster hardware manufacturing in the middle of cities.
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An amateur astronomer for more than 40 years, McCague built the telescope using common hardware store items and donated it to the college.
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Life in the 20th century is represented by a 1927 hardware store and brewery (often selling samples), along with a 1970s street scene, complete with a hi-fi record shop.
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There were grocery stores and hair salons and a hardware store, explained Swearingin.
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In this Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017, photo, containers of Roundup, left, a weed killer is seen on a shelf with other products for sale at a hardware store in Los Angeles.
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There are plenty of options to consider, as close as your local home center or hardware store.
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But there was only one piece of hardware that truly mattered to the Post-Tribune 2017 Softball Player of the Year.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hardware.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of hardware
15th century
HARDWARE Defined for English Language Learners
hardware
playDefinition of hardware for English Language Learners
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: things (such as tools or parts of machines) that are made of metal
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: equipment used for a particular purpose; especially : computer equipment
HARDWARE Defined for Kids
hardware
playDefinition of hardware for Students
1 : things (as tools, cutlery, or parts of machines) made of metal
2 : equipment or parts used for a particular purpose The computer system needs hardware such as monitors and keyboards.
Learn More about hardware
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See words that rhyme with hardware Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for hardware Spanish Central: Translation of hardware Nglish: Translation of hardware for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of hardware for Arabic speakers
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