noun
- metalware, as tools, locks, hinges, or cutlery.
- the mechanical equipment necessary for conducting an activity, usually distinguished from the theory and design that make the activity possible.
- military weapons and combat equipment.
- Slang. a weapon carried on one’s person: The rougher types were asked to check their hardware at the door.
- Computers. the mechanical, magnetic, electronic, and electrical devices comprising a computer system, as the CPU, disk drives, keyboard, or screen.
noun
- metal tools, implements, etc, esp cutlery or cooking utensils
- computing the physical equipment used in a computer system, such as the central processing unit, peripheral devices, and memoryCompare software
- mechanical equipment, components, etc
- heavy military equipment, such as tanks and missiles or their parts
- informal a gun or guns collectively
mid-15c., “small metal goods,” from hard + ware (n.). In the sense of “physical components of a computer” it dates from 1947. Hardware store attested by 1789.
- A computer, its components, and its related equipment. Hardware includes disk drives, integrated circuits, display screens, cables, modems, speakers, and printers. Compare software.
The physical machinery and devices that make up a computer system. It is contrasted to software — the programs and instructions used to run the system.