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
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
On lab bench after lab bench in the Science headquarters, researchers are working on a second--generation Prima system in which the hardware currently in the brick will be miniaturized and housed in the glasses’ temple bars.
—
Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 6 Nov. 2025
Seed phrases concentrate risk in one secret while seedless paths distribute it across vendors, devices, identities, or extra hardware that must be safeguarded and, in a crisis, actually found.
—Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Native Instruments contributes training, mentorship and industry-leading software and hardware.
—Heran Mamo, Billboard, 6 Nov. 2025
Next week, the performer is set to see if his 12 Latin Grammy nominations – the most of any artist this year – translate into award hardware.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hardware
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Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 6 Nov. 2025
Seed phrases concentrate risk in one secret while seedless paths distribute it across vendors, devices, identities, or extra hardware that must be safeguarded and, in a crisis, actually found.
—Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Native Instruments contributes training, mentorship and industry-leading software and hardware.
—Heran Mamo, Billboard, 6 Nov. 2025
Next week, the performer is set to see if his 12 Latin Grammy nominations – the most of any artist this year – translate into award hardware.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hardware
Cite this Entry
“Hardware.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hardware. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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