# wire

/ˈwaɪɝ/ (US) · /wˈaɪə/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/wire
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. metal thread

noun · CEFR A2

a thin, flexible thread of metal.

For teachers: a slender, pliable rod or strand of metal, typically formed by drawing the metal through a die.

- He used a small piece of wire to fix the broken fence.
- The sculptor manipulated the copper wire into intricate shapes, creating a delicate skeleton for the clay model.

### 2. electrical conductor

noun · CEFR A2

a metal thread that carries electricity or signals.

For teachers: a metallic conductor used to transmit electrical power or telecommunications signals.

- Be careful not to touch the live wire behind the washing machine.
- The technician identified a frayed wire in the control panel as the primary cause of the intermittent power failure.

### 3. hidden microphone

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Slang

a tiny microphone hidden on a person to record a conversation secretly.

For teachers: a concealed electronic eavesdropping device worn by an individual for the purpose of gathering evidence.

- The undercover officer was wearing a wire to record the meeting with the gang.
- Despite the risk of discovery, the informant agreed to wear a wire during the high-stakes negotiation with the cartel leaders.

### 4. the finish line

noun · CEFR B2

the finish line of a race, especially in horse racing.

For teachers: the finishing line of a racetrack; often used figuratively in the phrase 'down to the wire' to indicate a close competition.

- The two horses were neck and neck as they crossed the wire.
- The election results were so close that the candidates remained tied until the final votes were counted, taking the contest down to the wire.

### 5. to install electricity

verb · CEFR B1

to put electrical cables into a building or piece of equipment.

For teachers: to equip a structure or device with a system of electrical conductors.

- It took the electricians three days to wire the new house.
- The contractor insisted on hiring a specialist to wire the server room to ensure the cooling systems and power backups were properly integrated.

### 6. to send money or a message

verb · CEFR B2

to send money or a message using an electronic system.

For teachers: to transmit funds or information via a telecommunications or electronic transfer system.

- My parents had to wire me some money after I lost my wallet on holiday.
- The corporation chose to wire the funds immediately to secure the acquisition before the close of the fiscal quarter.

### 7. to fasten

verb · CEFR B2

to tie or fasten something using metal wire.

For teachers: to bind, secure, or fasten an object using metallic strands.

- He wired the gate shut so the dog couldn't get out.
- The gardener carefully wired the climbing roses to the trellis to encourage them to grow upward.

## Examples

- The championship race went right down to the wire.
- With both candidates tied in the polls, the election is expected to go down to the wire on Tuesday night.
- Although the team held a comfortable lead for most of the season, a series of injuries forced the title race down to the wire in the final match.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.