Agency Dictionary
Hardware
nounPronunciation: /ˈhɑːrd.wer/
In Portuguese: Hardware
Technology & AIWhat does “Hardware” mean?
The physical, mechanical, and electronic components that constitute a computer system or digital electronic device. It contrasts with software, which provides intangible instructions and programs.
Etymology
From Middle English hardware, a compound of hard and ware, "goods", attested since the mid-15th century. For most of its history the word has meant small metal goods, such as tools, nails and locks, the stock of a hardware store. Computing took it for the physical machinery of a system, and software was later coined as its counterpart for programs.
Usage note
A mass noun: "a piece of hardware", not "a hardware". Outside computing it still means ironmongery, as in hardware store.
Synonyms
- equipment
- machinery
- devices
- components
Word family
- software
- firmware
- ware
- hard
Rhymes with
- care
- share
- air
- where
Usage examples
But have you ever wondered where all of the raw ingredients for this hardware mentioned above come from?
Concept
Source editions
Where this entry comes from in the Agency editorial.
Words of the same theme
- Buttonnoun
- A physical or graphical control element that triggers an immediate action or command when pressed or clicked. In software interfaces, buttons communicate system affordances through visual boundaries and labels.
- Screennoun
- A flat physical display surface on an electronic device that projects visual images, interfaces, and text to a viewer. It serves as the primary visual output medium for modern personal computers and mobile phones.
- Rendernoun
- A finished two-dimensional image or video generated from a three-dimensional mathematical scene by computer software. It synthesizes geometric coordinates, lighting algorithms, textures, and shading into final pixels.
- syntheticadjective
- Produced by artificial or chemical synthesis rather than originating from natural or organic processes.
- androidnoun
- A robot or synthetic organism designed to possess human form, movement, or intelligent behavior.
- aqueductnoun
- An engineered conduit or bridge designed to convey water from distant freshwater springs into urban centers using gravity flow.
- Assistantnoun
- A person or computational software program that provides aid, support, or automated services to facilitate work and handle routine tasks.
- asynchronousadjective
- Not occurring at the same time or coordinated simultaneously, describing workflows or interactions handled independently across time.
- binaryadjective
- Relating to or composed of two things, specifically a computational numbering system using base two digits.
- Compassnoun
- A navigational instrument equipped with a magnetized needle indicating magnetic north and other cardinal directions. Metaphorically, it designates an ethical principle or core belief providing personal guidance.
- Consolenoun
- A text-based command interface inside computer software where system operators and players enter manual code commands. In video games, opening the console allows users to modify internal variables and enter cheats.
- Databasenoun
- A structured, organized collection of digitized data stored electronically in a computer system and accessible through various retrieval and querying mechanisms.
Also from these editions: terms
- densitynoun
- The quantity of mass, pixels, or information concentrated within a given unit of area or space.
- Homeostasisnoun
- The state of steady internal, physical, and chemical conditions maintained by living systems or dynamic organizations through coordinated self-regulating physiological or operational adjustments.
- Interconnectedadjective
- Having all constituent parts or elements mutually connected, reciprocal, or interrelated in such a manner that changes in one directly affect the condition or behavior of the others.
- Inventorynoun
- A complete itemized catalog or aggregate stock of raw materials, parts, works in progress, and finished goods held in custody by a business enterprise for production or commercial sale.
- Lobbynoun
- An organized group of individuals or corporate representatives seeking to influence legislators, government officials, or public policies in favor of specific commercial or special interests.
- Logisticsnoun
- The detailed organization, planning, and practical implementation of complex operations involving the movement, transport, and maintenance of materials, goods, and personnel across distribution channels.
- Mineralnoun
- A naturally occurring inorganic solid substance characterized by a definite chemical composition and an ordered internal atomic structure. It is extracted by industrial or manual methods for metallurgy and manufacturing.
- Rechargeableadjective
- Capable of having its electrical chemical energy replenished repeatedly by passing an electric current through the cell in the reverse direction of its normal discharge cycle.
- Smugglingnoun
- The clandestine and illegal transport of goods, currency, persons, or natural commodities across jurisdictional borders to evade tariffs, customs controls, or legal bans.
- Thermometernoun
- An instrument designed to measure temperature or thermal gradients across systems. Figuratively, it denotes any sensitive indicator or gauge used to measure changing economic, environmental, or social conditions.
- Warehousenoun
- A large commercial building used for the organized storage, maintenance, and distribution of raw goods or manufactured inventory prior to shipment. It serves as a central hub in logistics operations.
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