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
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
This historic event showcased the current state of humanoid robot technology, particularly highlighting hardware robustness rather than artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities.
—
Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025
Most industry analysts expected Nintendo to hold the price for the Switch 2 hardware steady, even as Trump's wide-ranging tariffs threatened to raise the cost the company incurred for systems built in China and Vietnam.
—ArsTechnica, 18 Apr. 2025
The raffia style has the same double strap design and slight platform with plain gold hardware instead of the interlocking pearl Cs.
—Megan Schaltegger, People.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Think: custom hardware and sleek matte finishes across its entire collection, including its best-selling ranges and wall ovens.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hardware
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Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025
Most industry analysts expected Nintendo to hold the price for the Switch 2 hardware steady, even as Trump's wide-ranging tariffs threatened to raise the cost the company incurred for systems built in China and Vietnam.
—ArsTechnica, 18 Apr. 2025
The raffia style has the same double strap design and slight platform with plain gold hardware instead of the interlocking pearl Cs.
—Megan Schaltegger, People.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Think: custom hardware and sleek matte finishes across its entire collection, including its best-selling ranges and wall ovens.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hardware
Cite this Entry
“Hardware.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hardware. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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