Word
Definitions
01computing
B1 · Intermediate Uncountable noun Computing
n. the physical parts of a computer system, like the screen, keyboard, and internal chips.
n. the physical components of a computing system, such as the motherboard, CPU, and peripherals, as opposed to the programs or data.
“The technician had to open the laptop to replace some broken hardware.”
“The latest gaming software requires high-end hardware to run smoothly at maximum resolution.”
Usage
Uncountable; do not use 'hardwares'.
Antonyms
02tools and fixtures
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. metal tools and items used for building or fixing things, such as hammers, nails, and door handles.
n. metal goods and utensils used in construction, DIY, or home maintenance, typically sold in a dedicated store.
“We went to the store to buy some hardware for the new kitchen cabinets.”
“The restoration project required specialized brass hardware to match the original nineteenth-century fittings.”
Usage
Uncountable; refers to the category of items rather than a single tool.
03medals or trophies
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Sports Informal · Slang
n. a slang way to talk about medals, trophies, or awards won in a competition.
n. a collective reference to medals, trophies, or other physical awards won in sporting or professional competitions.
“The Olympic swimmer returned home with a lot of gold hardware.”
“After a dominant season, the team added several pieces of hardware to their trophy cabinet.”
Teaching tip
This is a common metaphor in sports journalism; it treats the heavy metal of a trophy as 'hardware'.
04weapons
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Slang · Vulgar
n. a slang word for guns or other weapons.
n. a slang or informal reference to firearms or military weaponry.
“The police discovered heavy hardware hidden in the back of the van.”
“The action movie featured characters carrying an unrealistic amount of high-tech hardware during the heist scene.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “hardware” in context.
Verb
01. install the hardware
“The technician will arrive tomorrow morning to install the hardware for the new server network.”
verb + noun
02. troubleshoot the hardware
“We spent three hours trying to troubleshoot the hardware before realizing the cable was loose.”
verb + noun
03. upgrade the hardware
“If you want to run the latest video editing software, you will need to upgrade the hardware.”
verb + noun
Adjective
04. obsolete hardware
“The company is struggling to maintain its systems because they are still using obsolete hardware from the 1990s.”
adj + noun
05. sophisticated hardware
“Modern scientific research requires sophisticated hardware to process vast amounts of data.”
adj + noun
Noun
06. hardware failure
“The website went offline for several hours due to a critical hardware failure in the data center.”
noun + noun
07. hardware store
“I need to stop by the hardware store to pick up some heavy-duty bolts and a new drill bit.”
noun + noun
08. piece of hardware
“This new graphics card is an impressive piece of hardware that significantly boosts gaming performance.”
noun + of + noun
Real-World Examples
“Samsung didn't have to change much this year because its hardware is just that good.” “There aren't many villages where you can walk into a jewellers, a hardware shop, or a cafe, and hear stories about one of the world's biggest music icons.” Etymology
From Middle English hardware; equivalent to hard + -ware; attested since the mid-15th century.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/hardware
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0
‘외래어’ data: 한국어기초사전 (국립국어원), CC BY-SA 2.0 KR