hardware
hardware Lexical Profile
hardware Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The physical components and machinery of a computer or other electronic system, as distinguished from the programs that run on it.
"The technology company is upgrading its server hardware to better manage the massive increase in website traffic."
Metal goods and utensils such as tools, locks, hinges, fasteners, and cutlery.
"We visited the local shop to buy some brass hardware for the newly built kitchen cabinets."
Durable physical equipment or machinery used for a particular operation or organized activity.
"Setting up the new academic laboratory required millions of dollars in specialized scientific hardware."
Word Origin & Etymology
Originates from the mid-15th century (combining 'hard' and 'ware') to describe durable items or goods made of metal. The computing sense emerged around 1947 to distinguish the physical machinery of a computer from the instructional 'software'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.