hardware

UK: /ˈhɑː^rdwɛə^r/ US: /ˈhɑrdˌwɛr/ ,(härd′wâr′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

hard•ware /ˈhɑrdˌwɛr/   n. [uncountable]

1. articles made of metal, such as tools, locks, or machine parts.
2. the mechanical equipment necessary for conducting an activity:
   The theory is fine, but can the engineers construct the hardware?
3. Computing the mechanical, magnetic, electronic, and electrical devices making up a computer system.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

hard•ware  (härd′wâr′), n. 

1. metalware, as tools, locks, hinges, or cutlery.
2. the mechanical equipment necessary for conducting an activity, usually distinguished from the theory and design that make the activity possible.
3. Computing, Military military weapons and combat equipment.
4. Slang Terms a weapon carried on one's person:
   The rougher types were asked to check their hardware at the door.
5. Computing the mechanical, magnetic, electronic, and electrical devices comprising a computer system, as the CPU, disk drives, keyboard, or screen. Cf. software.

• 1505–15; 1955–60 for def. 5; hard + ware¹

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

hardware / ˈhɑːdˌwɛə/ noun

1. metal tools, implements, etc, esp cutlery or cooking utensils
2. the physical equipment used in a computer system, such as the central processing unit, peripheral devices, and memory
   Compare software
3. mechanical equipment, components, etc
4. heavy military equipment, such as tanks and missiles or their parts
5. a gun or guns collectively