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

As launching hardware becomes routine, demand for these bespoke capabilities will likely keep growing, regardless of who does the building. — Charlotte Kiang, Forbes.com, 9 July 2026

The gold horsebit hardware just elevates the style that much further and makes the shoe look so much more expensive. — Megan Schaltegger, InStyle, 8 July 2026

According to the companies, the work goes beyond proving the concept of analog in-memory computing by demonstrating a practical AI system-on-chip that integrates multiple layers of hardware and software engineering. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 8 July 2026

But the change comes after Starlink recently increased fees for consumers on the Residential plans and added a new $10-per-month rental fee for new sign-ups to use the dish hardware. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 8 July 2026

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