hardware

[hahrd-wair]

noun

1. metalware typically used for repair or construction, as screws, locks, hinges, or machine parts.

   The store has aisles for hardware, lumber, electrical equipment, and plumbing supplies.

2. the mechanical equipment necessary for conducting an activity, usually distinguished from the theory and design that make the activity possible.

3. Computers.,  the mechanical, magnetic, electronic, and electrical devices comprising a computer system, as the CPU, disk drives, keyboard, or screen.

4. military weapons and combat equipment.

   The tactical concern with retreat was military hardware falling into enemy hands.

5. Slang.,  a weapon or weapons carried on one's person.

   The rougher types were asked to check their hardware at the door.

6. Slang.

   1. medals or trophies.

      The Olympic athletes posed iconically with their new hardware fanned across their chests, or playfully pretended to bite their gold medals.

   2. jewelry, especially large or flashy pieces of jewelry.

      She loved her engagement ring, but she took it off at work—a bakery is no place for hardware like that.

hardware

/ ˈhɑːdˌwɛə /

noun

1. metal tools, implements, etc, esp cutlery or cooking utensils

2. computing the physical equipment used in a computer system, such as the central processing unit, peripheral devices, and memory Compare software

3. mechanical equipment, components, etc

4. heavy military equipment, such as tanks and missiles or their parts

5. informal,  a gun or guns collectively

hardware

1. A computer, its components, and its related equipment. Hardware includes disk drives, integrated circuits, display screens, cables, modems, speakers, and printers.

2. Compare software

hardware

1. The physical machinery and devices that make up a computer system. It is contrasted to software — the programs and instructions used to run the system.

Word History and Origins

Origin of hardware¹

First recorded in 1505–15; 1955–60 hardware for def. 3; hard + ware ¹

Example Sentences

The company added that it had worked with aviation authorities to request precautionary action to incorporate software and hardware protection to ensure the planes are safe to fly.

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Airbus AIR 0.15%increase; green up pointing triangle said its A320 family of planes need immediate updates to software and, in some cases, hardware, which could ground many flights around the world.

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However, the remaining aircraft which are older versions will need new hardware as well and will need to be taken out of service to be modified.

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Thiel was quoted as saying a year earlier that the future of unmanned aircraft systems was “in neither software nor hardware alone, but in the intelligent synthesis of the two.”

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But Britney Nguyen explained why investors trying to predict who might “win” the AI software or hardware competitions might be better off taking a broader view of the AI landscape.

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Related Words

• housewares 
• plumbing