Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - hardware

 noun  Date: circa 1515  1. ware (as fittings, cutlery, tools, utensils, or parts of machines) made of metal  2. major items of equipment or their components used for a particular purpose educational ~: as  a. military equipment  b. the physical components (as electronic and electrical devices) of a vehicle (as a spacecraft) or an apparatus (as a computer)  3. an award (as a trophy, medal, or cup) given in a sports competition