hardware

B2 Topic:Technology & Computing

US /ˈhɑɹdˌwɛɹ/ UK /ˈhɑːdˌwɛə/ See IPA manual

Freq #7578

Meanings

1

noun
The physical parts of a computer, such as the screen, keyboard, and circuits.

You may need new hardware to run this software.
2

noun
Tools, equipment, and metal parts used for building and repairs.

He went to the hardware store to buy nails and screws.
3

noun
Heavy military equipment such as weapons and vehicles.

The army displayed its latest military hardware in the parade.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · the physical parts of a... computer hardware

2 noun · tools, equipment, and metal... ironware

Word family

Derived forms biohardwarehardware-acceleratedhardwarelesshardwaremanhardwarilynonhardware

Related forms softwarevaporware

Appears in

Phrases (1)

See all

hardware store
a shop selling tools, fittings, and materials for practical household jobs

Noun + noun

Etymology

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

hardware Middle English

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Technology & Computing

External links

# hardware

**Type:** Word
**Level:** B2
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /ˈhɑɹdˌwɛɹ/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈhɑːdˌwɛə/
**Frequency rank:** 7578

## Meanings
1. The physical parts of a computer, such as the screen, keyboard, and circuits.
2. Tools, equipment, and metal parts used for building and repairs.
3. Heavy military equipment such as weapons and vehicles.

## Examples
- You may need new hardware to run this software.
- He went to the hardware store to buy nails and screws.
- The army displayed its latest military hardware in the parade.

## Derived Forms
- biohardware
- hardware-accelerated
- hardwareless
- hardwareman
- hardwarily
- nonhardware

## Related Forms
- software
- vaporware

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: hardware

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

## AI Etymology
Hardware comes from Middle English hardware; equivalent to hard + -ware; attested since the mid-15th century. The analysis is mainly morphological: the modern nominal form is built from the named base and affix. In current use, the main senses are “The physical parts of a computer, such as the screen, keyboard, and circuits” and “Tools, equipment, and metal parts used for building and repairs”.

## Topics
- Technology & Computing

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