hardening

1 of 2

noun

hard·​en·​ing ˈhärd-niŋ 

ˈhär-dᵊn-iŋ

: sclerosis sense 1

hardening of the arteries

hardening

2 of 2

present participle of harden

Examples of hardening in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Security training as one solution Like physical hardening of schools, active shooter training happens before an actual event. — Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026

Local fire agencies could make exceptions based on factors including fire risk, fire-response resources, evacuation routes, and fire-hardening of homes, but variations would require approval by city councils or county supervisors. — Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026

The hardening of the administration toward all immigrants, undocumented or not, has trickled down to Idaho. — Idaho Statesman, 20 Aug. 2026

Meanwhile, those that cleared vegetation from Zone Zero had a survival rate of 37%, and those with comprehensive home hardening and defensible space had a survival rate of 48%. — Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hardening

• gardening
• pardoning

Kids Definition

hardening

noun

hard·​en·​ing

: sclerosis

hardening of the arteries

Medical Definition

hardening

noun

hard·​en·​ing ˈhärd-niŋ, -ᵊn-iŋ 

: sclerosis sense 1

hardening of the arteries