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

• accoutrements
• accouterments
• apparatus
• equipment
• gear
• kit [chiefly British]
• material(s)
• matériel
• materiel
• outfit
• paraphernalia
• stuff
• tackle

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

Now the light bulb section at the hardware store has become so daunting that even bringing the empty box from the last bulbs doesn’t help. —Inga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Feb. 2025

But Meta’s latest expansion into consumer hardware with its Ray-Ban smart glasses shows promise. —Lisa Eadicicco, CNN, 17 Feb. 2025

Someone actually patented oxygen production from ilmenite back in the 1970s, and two hardware prototypes have been developed, one of which may be sent to the Moon on a future NASA mission. —John Timmer, Ars Technica, 17 Feb. 2025

Shares of the networking hardware company added 4.22%. —Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing hardware

• hardware cloth

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