Definition of HARDWARE

hardware

Noun

  • major items of military weaponry (as tanks or missile)
  • instrumentalities (tools or implements) made of metal
  • (computer science) the mechanical, magnetic, electronic, and electrical components making up a computer system
  • Fixtures, equipment, fasteners, tools, and devices used for general-purpose construction and repair of a structure or object. Also such equipment as sold as stock by a store of the same name, e.g. hardware store.
  • Equipment.
  • The part of a computer that is fixed and cannot be altered without replacement or physical modification; motherboard, expansion cards, etc. Compare software.
  • Electronic equipment.
  • Metal implements.
  • A firearm.
  • Medals or trophies.
  • Ellipsis of hardware store.
  • pl. -S metal goods

Examples

  • "He needed a hammer, nails, screws, nuts, bolts and other assorted hardware, so he went to the hardware store."
  • "military hardware"
  • "The designers have put their logo on the hardware of this bag here."

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English hardware; equivalent to hard + -ware; attested since the mid-15th century.

Synonyms

computer hardware, ironware, hardware

Antonyms

software

Scrabble Score: 15

hardware: valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
hardware: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
hardware: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 14

hardware is a valid Words With Friends word