hardware

American  

[hahrd-wair] / ˈhɑrdˌwɛər /

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.

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hardware British  

/ 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

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hardware Scientific  

/ härd′wâr′ /

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

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hardware Cultural  

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.

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Etymology

Origin of hardware

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

Example Sentences

Apple is a “software/hardware hybrid where the sum may be worth more than its parts,” Graham said.

From MarketWatch

Google didn’t break down exactly how much it intends to allocate between the two types of chip, although analysts noted its margins improve the more it uses its own in-house hardware.

From Barron's

Still, some quarters of the government have sounded a note of caution over the pace at which India can realistically add data-center business, given electricity and hardware constraints.

From The Wall Street Journal

The American star was already 41 years old and racing on a knee partially rebuilt with titanium hardware.

From The Wall Street Journal

Since then, the dominant narrative within the technology space has shifted toward favoring hardware companies — namely, companies in the semiconductor space — over firms that sell software as a service.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• housewares
• plumbing