firmware

noun

firm·​ware ˈfərm-ˌwer How to pronounce firmware (audio)
: computer programs contained permanently in a hardware device (such as a read-only memory)

Examples of firmware in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The randomness of the phrases is meant to be unpredictable, though the software bug present in Coldcard firmware—dating back to March 2021—meant the device was producing seeds with less randomness than advertised. — Ty Roush, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 The app should guide you through the VIN check and available firmware update. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 31 July 2026 Now, all versions of the Framework Laptop 13 board, going all the way back to the original 11th-generation Intel Core board, already have updated firmware with the new hardware support locked and loaded. — ArsTechnica, 27 July 2026 The hardware is backed by proprietary software and algorithms, and comes with dedicated app and web interfaces for things such as drawing the coverage area, updating firmware, and creating flight schedules. — New Atlas, 26 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for firmware

Word History

First Known Use

1967, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of firmware was in 1967

Rhymes for firmware

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Browse Nearby Words

firm up
firmware
firn
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Cite this Entry

“Firmware.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/firmware. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

firmware

noun
firm·​ware ˈfərm-ˌwa(ə)r How to pronounce firmware (audio)
-ˌwe(ə)r
: computer programs contained permanently in a hardware device (as a read-only memory)

More from Merriam-Webster on firmware

Nglish: Translation of firmware for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about firmware

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