noun
wire
weye-uh
noun
1
A thin, flexible strand of metal, used to carry electricity or for fastening, fencing, and similar purposes.
"A loose wire was causing the lamp to flicker."
"The fence was held up with a few strands of wire."
verb
1
To connect something using wires, especially for electricity.
"An electrician wired the new kitchen."
2
To send money electronically from one account to another.
"She wired the deposit to the landlord that afternoon."
3
Informal: to secretly fit someone or something with a hidden microphone.
"The informant agreed to wire himself before the meeting."
How to Use Wire
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA thin metal strand — or, as a verb, to connect with wires, or to send money electronically.
Common mistake
In finance, "wire" as a verb (to wire money) is common in American English; British English more often says "transfer."
Common pairings
wire money
wire transfer
live wire
wire a house
Word Forms
wired past tense, Wires plural, wires singular
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A loose _____ was causing the lamp to flicker.
Etymology
From Old English wīr, "metal thread," from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to twist or turn."