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 of hardware

• equipment
• gear
• apparatus

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

This momentum reflects rapid advances in both AI and hardware over the past two years, driven by better models and cheaper components. —Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 11 Dec. 2025

Monnier's team helped develop the hardware and software to take the images. —Keith Matheny, Freep.com, 11 Dec. 2025

Xi’s superpower rival had established a seemingly unassailable lead in the most consequential technology of the past half-century—as well as a stranglehold on the bedrock hardware. —Charlie Campbell, Time, 11 Dec. 2025

It's also used in the hardware and infrastructure driving the AI boom. —Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing hardware

• hardware cloth

Rhymes for hardware

• abwehr
• affair
• affaire
• airfare
• altair
• armchair
• aware
• beware
• bugbear
• carfare
• childcare
• compare

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