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

• accoutrements
• accouterments
• apparatus
• equipment
• gear
• kit [chiefly British]
• material(s)
• matériel
• materiel
• outfit
• paraphernalia
• stuff
• tackle

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

Just think about the hardware that Iran threw into the sky and how little damage that caused. —ABC News, 14 Apr. 2024

The company sells hardware and software to Chinese automakers, and also designs and markets its own cars, often in joint ventures with an existing carmaker. —Nicholas Gordon, Fortune Asia, 12 Apr. 2024

There’s more going on under the hood than that, much of which seems to be aimed at getting hardware and software working together more harmoniously. —Allison Johnson, The Verge, 11 Apr. 2024

This canvas and leather bucket bag has a front leather lettering logo, adjustable leather handle, a linen lining, gold-tone hardware and leather drawstring closure — all adding to the bag’s charm. —Marques Harper, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024

This facilitates customers' access to the latest simulator hardware and software versions at all times. —Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 10 Apr. 2024

Gina Raimondo, the commerce secretary, said the investment would help the United States start manufacturing the most advanced semiconductors, which are used in artificial intelligence, smartphones and the most sensitive military hardware. —Don Clark, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2024

Alan Kirby Mark designed the hardware and timing-sensitive low-level code, while software engineer Bob Shelly wrote the remaining programs. —IEEE Spectrum, 7 Apr. 2024

Matt Costello and Brian Lynch — two executives focused on home products — have overseen the hardware development. —Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing hardware

• hardware cloth

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