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
Modular software drives robots The platform emphasizes that software can evolve independently of hardware, enabling robots to learn new tasks and improve over time.
—
Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 Jan. 2026
The series has since developed into more of an all-round wellness tool, with hardware that incorporates ECG readings and irregular heart rate notifications.
—Andrew Williams, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Also in the hunt is Lockheed Martin, the prime contractor for the Orion spacecraft, which is proposing an accelerated plan to build a lunar lander cobbled together from hardware already in existence.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 29 Jan. 2026
But even though two of those Vince Lombardi Trophies in the hallway were wins over the Patriots, there's more hardware in Foxborough.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hardware
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Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 Jan. 2026
The series has since developed into more of an all-round wellness tool, with hardware that incorporates ECG readings and irregular heart rate notifications.
—Andrew Williams, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Also in the hunt is Lockheed Martin, the prime contractor for the Orion spacecraft, which is proposing an accelerated plan to build a lunar lander cobbled together from hardware already in existence.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 29 Jan. 2026
But even though two of those Vince Lombardi Trophies in the hallway were wins over the Patriots, there's more hardware in Foxborough.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hardware
Cite this Entry
“Hardware.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hardware. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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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