hardware

Definition

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.

Etymology

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

Example Sentences

• "He needed a hammer, nails, screws, nuts, bolts and other assorted hardware, so he went to the hardware store."
• "military hardware"
• "BOWEN: The monster trucks of Mars rovers, joke scientists, equipped with an array of sophisticated hardware to look for signs of water and answer scientists questions."

Related Words