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

Reactors require specialized internal hardware that can endure conditions hotter than the solar core. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2026

Theranos had been shut down for years, so naturally the hardware was in storage. — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026

The hotel’s design team also took efforts to repurpose original design elements from the historic building like doors, railing, and hardware during the construction process. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Nov. 2026

Jackson explains that, early on, the hardware and software capabilities were the limiting factors, and thus the experience could not come close to competing with an in-person auction. — Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 4 Nov. 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