hardwired

adjective

hard·​wired ˈhärd-ˌwī(-ə)rd How to pronounce hardwired (audio)
1
: implemented in the form of permanent electronic circuits
also : connected or incorporated by or as if by permanent electrical connections
a hardwired phone
concepts of attractiveness may be universal and hardwired into the human brain Jane E. Brody
2
: genetically or innately determined : inborn
creature whose every action is a reflexive, hardwired responseNatalie Angier
also : genetically or innately predisposed
a human being who is hardwired to be sociable Forbes

Examples of hardwired in a Sentence

a cat with a hardwired compulsion to knock expensive knickknacks off of shelves
Recent Examples on the Web Indeed, people are hardwired for both self-interest and altruism. Talia Varley, Fortune, 12 Mar. 2024 Because our brains cannot process all the bits of information they are presented with, the shortcuts get hardwired into our brains, leading to assumptions and, often, non-inclusive behavior. Julie Kratz, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024 To prevent tampering, the election equipment is hardwired to a closed network. The Arizona Republic, 24 Jan. 2024 Bird would eventually reverse course and take a more collaborative approach with local and state officials, but the company sometimes struggled to reconcile being a good citizen with its hardwired growth imperatives. Jason Del Rey, Fortune, 25 Jan. 2024 The theory is that children are hardwired to connect with others and that children who feel connected are less likely to misbehave. Kimanzi Constable, Parents, 1 Feb. 2024 Now every long-haul driver must have a logging device, which is usually hardwired to their truck’s engine. Emily Gogolak, Harper's Magazine, 9 Jan. 2024 For example, fawns and calves are able to walk within hours of birth because the behavior is hardwired. Roberta McLain, Scientific American, 12 Dec. 2023 And ruminating also offers an opportunity for reindeer, at least, to meet their apparently hardwired need for about 6.5 hours of sleep per day year-round, the researchers found. Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 22 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hardwired.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1965, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hardwired was in 1965

Dictionary Entries Near hardwired

Cite this Entry

“Hardwired.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hardwired. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

hardwired

adjective
hard·​wired -ˌwī(ə)rd How to pronounce hardwired (audio)
: having or done using or as if using permanent electronic circuits or connections
a hardwired phone
a mother hardwired to defend her child

More from Merriam-Webster on hardwired

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