Meaning & use
hard wire
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountable
A physical electrical wire that connects parts of a device or system directly.
Grammar: Usually used in the plural 'hard wires' when talking about multiple wires. Often contrasted with wireless connections.
Patterns
- a hard wire connection
- use hard wires
- connect with hard wires
The old telephone system used hard wires to connect each house.
For safety, the machine is linked by hard wires rather than wireless signals.
He replaced the hard wires with a wireless module.
verbtransitivetechnicalcomputing
To connect a device or system using physical wires, or to build a feature into a system so that it cannot be easily changed.
Grammar: Often used in the passive or as the adjective 'hardwired': 'The settings are hardwired.' Takes an object: 'hardwire the connection'.
Patterns
- hardwire something
- hardwire something into something
- be hardwired to do something
The technician will hardwire the new printer to the network.
Some behaviors seem to be hardwired into the brain.
You can hardwire the device to avoid Wi-Fi problems.
Word forms
| third person singular | hardwires |
|---|---|
| past tense | hardwired |
| past participle | hardwired |
| -ing form | hardwiring |
| plural | hard wires |
Common combinations
- hardwire a connection
- They decided to hardwire a connection for stability.
- hardwired into the system
- The security feature is hardwired into the system.
- hard wire vs wireless
- The debate between hard wire and wireless continues.
Synonyms and how they differ
- wire
- General term for electrical cable; 'hard wire' emphasizes a direct, physical connection.
- hardwired
- Adjective form meaning permanently built in; often used for traits or settings.
Opposites
Word family
- hardwired adjective
- Built into a system or brain so it cannot be changed.
- hardwiring noun
- The act or result of connecting with physical wires or making permanent.
Commonly confused: hard wire or hardware?
hard wire vs hardware
Computer machinery and equipment; 'hard wire' is about electrical connections.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'hard wire' correctly as a verb?
Choose one answer.
Hardwiring means connecting with physical wires, so option 0 fits. Options 1 and 2 contradict the idea of a physical wire, and option 3 uses software, which is not hardwiring.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “hard wire”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.