hardware

noun hard·ware \ ˈhärd-ˌwer \

Updated on: 14 May 2018

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 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

See hardware defined for English-language learners

See hardware defined for kids

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

In Iran, the news of the fighting was reported as a conflict between Syria and Israel, and something that didn't involve Iran's forces or its military infrastructure and hardware that has long helped prop up the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.

— jamie tarabay, CNN, "Iran condemns Israeli strikes in Syria with no mention of attacks on Israel," 11 May 2018
There was no immediate information about Iranian casualties, but Conricus said the main intent was to target hardware rather than personnel.

— benjamin brown, Fox News, "Israel strikes ‘nearly all’ Iranian infrastructure in Syria after Iran rocket attack, minister says," 10 May 2018
One of American drama's most intriguing case studies, Hickey is the hardware salesman who returns to his old tawdry haunt not on one of his periodic benders but on a mission to reform the resident inebriates of their belief in a better tomorrow.

— charles mcnulty, latimes.com, "A revelatory Denzel Washington in 'The Iceman Cometh'," 10 May 2018
Aside from that, look for Google to discuss new hardware for both the living room and the smart home, and for the company’s vendor partners, like LG and Samsung, to unveil new products.

— don reisinger, Fortune, "How to Watch the Google I/O 2018 Keynote Address," 8 May 2018
When the company recently ordered new hardware from a supplier in China, the shipment was delayed by four weeks.

— New York Times, "Why A.I. and Cryptocurrency Are Making One Type of Computer Chip Scarce," 8 May 2018
With locking center differential, hill-descent control, and brake-lock differential front and rear on all-wheel drive models, Rogue offers more hardware for light off-road driving than most of its competition.

— emma jayne williams, star-telegram, "Nissan Rogue proves to be a popular compact crossover for US consumers | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 5 May 2018
Outside is the essential guide dedicated to covering the people, sports and activities, politics, art, literature, and hardware of the outdoors.

— the editors, Outside Online, "Subscribe Now to Outside Magazine," 3 May 2018
In the late '90s, when hardware dominated Oregon's tech industry, technology peaked at 6.6 percent of all jobs in the state.

— mike rogoway, OregonLive.com, "Oregon's tech industry appears to have plateaued," 3 May 2018

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.