firmware

American

[furm-wair] / ˈfɜrmˌwɛər /

noun

Computers.

a microprogram stored in ROM, designed to implement a function that had previously been provided in software.

firmware British

/ ˈfɜːmˌwɛə /

noun

computing a fixed form of software programmed into a read-only memory

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of firmware

First recorded in 1965–70; firm ¹ + (soft)ware

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The webcam’s Windows compatibility has been a bit in question; Apple’s website states that “Studio Display camera features and firmware updates require connection to a Mac.”

From The Verge

A new controller firmware update is also being released with this Xbox dashboard update and includes performance improvements and fixes.

From The Verge

Goofy name aside, the idea motivating Ploopy mirrors something that has been going around in the DIY keyboard community for a while; namely, open-source design and flexible firmware.

From The Verge

This is the Apple Watch to get if you’re shopping on a budget... assuming you don’t want to deal with firmware nightmares that accompany the Apple Watch Series 3.

From The Verge

As the firmware is upgraded, games will gradually become more sophisticated.

From The Verge

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023