Definitions
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
- n. Metal goods and utensils such as locks, tools, and cutlery.
- n. Computer Science A computer and the associated physical equipment directly involved in the performance of data-processing or communications functions.
- n. Machines and other physical equipment directly involved in performing an industrial, technological, or military function.
- n. Informal Weapons, especially military weapons.
Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
- n. Small metal articles, such as house- or carriage-trimmings, fittings, parts of machines, domestic and kitchen utensils and appliances, and small tools. For more convenient classification, such material is called builders' hardware, domestic hardware, carriage-hardware, etc.
- n. Alcoholic liquors.
Wiktionary
- n. Metal implements.
- n. Firearm.
- n. Electronic equipment.
- n. The part of a computer that is fixed and cannot be altered without replacement or physical modification; motherboard, expansion cards, etc. Compare software.
- n. Fixtures, equipment, 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.
GNU Webster's 1913
- n. Ware made of metal, as cutlery, kitchen utensils, and the like; ironmongery.
- n. Any of the physical objects used in carrying out an activity, in contrast to the knowledge, skill, or theory required to perform the activity; mostly used collectively.
- n. The sum of all the physical objects, such as the electrical, mechanical, and electronic devices which comprise a computer system; ; contrasted with
software , the programs executed by the computer. - n. The weapons, transport, and other physical objects used in conducting a war.
- n. Weapons, especially handguns, carried on the person.
WordNet 3.0
- n. (computer science) the mechanical, magnetic, electronic, and electrical components making up a computer system
- n. major items of military weaponry (as tanks or missile)
- n. instrumentalities (tools or implements) made of metal
Examples
“The option to run on * new* native hardware, hardware that does video overlays, that can support video decoding * in hardware* (remind me how good does a RISC PC or A9 do that?).”
“But it doesn't work out of the box on any hardware - it works out of the box * on mac hardware*.”
“At end end of the day, i figured $13k To do it in hardware is a lot cheaper then using NLB and having to worry about storing hundreds of thousands of conncurrent connections.”
“The term hardware generally refers to an element having a physical structure such as electronic, electromagnetic, optical, electro-optical, mechanical, electro-mechanical parts, etc.”
“While the outer packaging of the phone was rather rough and ready, Gizmodo have insisted that the hardware is anything but.”
“Build a solar-thermal plant and since all the hardware is already dedicated to converting heat into electricity … add a freaking oil or natural gas burner to it.”
“Although Google provided much of the phone's software, the hardware is actually made by HTC, a Taiwanese manufacturer of phones, laptops, and other devices.”
“Mobile Analyst Watch quoting CIO Watch confirming Helio phones, with MySpace integration built into the DNA of the hardware is a waaaay kewl; way smaaart thing ta da.”
“This software will not be commercially available for two years, but the hardware is available today, from a Canadian company, measurand.”
“Warning: This software will not be commercially available for two years, but the hardware is available today, from a Canadian company, measurand.”
Smart Mobs » Blog Archive » ShapeTape Will Enhance Computer Interaction
Lists
These user-created lists contain the word ‘hardware’.
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UK Usage - Find US Equivalent
All these terms have a (different) American English equivalent. Wonder if you can identify them?
abridgement (abri..., accoutrement, accoutre, acknowledgement (..., opposite, advert, adaptor, adapter, sticking plaster, advertise, adviser (advisor ..., adze, aesthete and 1196 more...
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warez
Computer-related words ending with -ware
software, hardware, wetware, vapourware, shovelware, freeware, adware, shareware, careware, charityware, helpware, goodware and 24 more...
ruzuzu I'm in. Jan 28, 2011
yarb And I corroborate chained_bear. Let's all indulge in an orgy of mutual corroboration. Jan 28, 2011
chained_bear I've heard it too. I hereby corroborate. Jan 28, 2011
aalexorr I have heard this word used in the context of trophies or prizes. "Pick up your hardware after the awards ceremony." can anyone corroborate this? Jan 28, 2011