# hardware

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈhɑɹdˌwɛɹ/ · frequency rank #4,307

## Definitions
1. Fixtures, equipment, fasteners, tools, and devices used for general-purpose construction and repair of a structure or object. Also such equipment as sold as stock by a store of the same name, e.g. hardware store.
2. Equipment.
3. The part of a computer that is fixed and cannot be altered without replacement or physical modification; motherboard, expansion cards, etc. Compare software.
4. Electronic equipment.
5. Metal implements.
6. A firearm.
7. Medals or trophies.
8. Ellipsis of hardware store.

## Etymology
From Middle English hardware; equivalent to hard + -ware; attested since the mid-15th century.

## Easily confused with
- **hardwired** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hardware-vs-hardwired)
- **Harare** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/harare-vs-hardware)
- **hardcore** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hardcore-vs-hardware)

## Common misspellings (12)
`ahrdware`, `hadrware`, `hardawre`, `harddware`, `hardwaer`, `hardwarre`, `hardwrae`, `hardwware`, `harrdware`, `harwdare`, `hhardware`, `hradware`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/hardware