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noun B2 Upper-Intermediate Common

hardware

HARD-wair
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Hardware (noun) means the physical parts of a computer or electronic system — the processor, memory, drives, screen, cables and casing — as opposed to the programs that run on them. Example: “The software is fine; the hardware simply can't keep up.”

noun
1
The physical parts of a computer or electronic system — the processor, memory, drives, screen, cables and casing — as opposed to the programs that run on them.
"The software is fine; the hardware simply can't keep up."
"Most of the budget went on hardware rather than licences."
"Our laptop's hardware is old, so newer games run very slowly on it."
2
Tools, fixings and metal household goods such as nails, screws, hinges, locks and door handles.
"There's a hardware shop on the corner that still sells single screws."
"The cabinets come flat-packed with all the hardware included."
"I bought some new hinges and screws at the hardware store this morning."
3
Heavy military equipment such as weapons, vehicles and aircraft.
"The parade was mainly an excuse to display new hardware."
"The army museum has a hall full of old tanks and other military hardware."
"The country spent heavily on modern hardware such as fighter planes and warships."

How to use hardware

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe physical machine or metal goods, rather than the programs.

When to use it

Uncountable — say a piece of hardware, not a hardware. In American English hardware store is the everyday term for what British English calls a DIY or ironmonger's shop.

Memory tip

A useful test: if you can drop it on your foot, it is hardware.

Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
hardware vs. software hardware vs. firmware software →
Common pairings
hardware and software hardware failure hardware store networking hardware door hardware
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The software is fine; the _____ simply can't keep up.

Etymology

A compound of hard and ware, originally naming goods made of metal; the computing sense was formed by analogy, and software was coined afterwards as its opposite.

Origin: English

Synonyms

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equipment kit components machinery ironmongery fittings fixings tools weaponry matériel armaments ironware

Antonyms

software

Related words

technology material arms software equipment application App facilities

Rhymes for hardware

are tare dare care hare mare fare bare rare ware gare share
See all rhymes for hardware →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between hardware and software?
Hardware is the physical machinery you can touch — chips, drives, keyboards, cables. Software is the coded instructions that tell the hardware what to do, and has no physical form of its own. Neither is useful without the other, and a fault in one often looks like a fault in the other.
What is the difference between hardware and firmware?
Firmware is software, but written specifically for one piece of hardware and stored on the device itself — the code that makes a router or printer start up and function. It sits between the two: permanent enough to feel like part of the machine, yet updatable like software.
What is the meaning of hardware?
"hardware" (noun) means the physical parts of a computer or electronic system — the processor, memory, drives, screen, cables and casing — as opposed to the programs that run on them.
What is another word for hardware?
Other words for "hardware" include equipment, kit, components, machinery, ironware, ironmongery.

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technology material arms software equipment application App facilities