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noun, often attributive \ˈwī(-ə)r\

Simple Definition of wire

  • : a thin, flexible thread of metal

  • : a thread of metal that is covered with plastic, rubber, etc., and used to send or receive electricity or electrical signals

  • : a small microphone that is worn under clothing in order to secretly record a conversation

Source: Merriam-Webster's Learner's Dictionary

Full Definition of wire

  1. 1 a :  metal in the form of a usually very flexible thread or slender rod b :  a thread or rod of such material

  2. 2 a :  wirework b :  the meshwork of parallel or woven wire on which the wet web of paper forms

  3. 3 :  something (as a thin plant stem) that is wirelike

  4. 4 plural a :  a system of wires used to operate the puppets in a puppet show b :  hidden influences controlling the action of a person or organization

  5. 5 a :  a line of wire for conducting electric current — compare cord 3b b :  a telephone or telegraph wire or system; especially :  wire service c :  telegram, cablegram

  6. 6 :  fencing or a fence of usually barbed wire

  7. 7 a :  the finish line of a race b :  the final decisive moment (as of a contest) <the negotiations came down to the wire>

  8. 8 :  wirehair

wirelike play \-ˌlīk\ adjective
under the wire
  1. 1 :  at the finish line

  2. 2 :  at the last moment

wire to wire or from wire to wire
  1. :  from start to finish <led the race wire to wire>

Examples of wire in a sentence

  1. The flowers were bound together with thin wire.

  2. There was a wire sticking out of the chair.

  3. A telephone wire had fallen on the road during the storm.

  4. A short black wire connects the computer's monitor to its keyboard.

  5. The undercover officer wore a wire to her meeting with the drug dealer.

Origin of wire

Middle English, from Old English wīr; akin to Old High German wiara fine gold work, Latin viēre to plait, and probably to Greek iris rainbow

First Known Use: before 12th century




Simple Definition of wire

  • : to provide (a building, room, etc.) with wires for a particular service or for electricity

  • : to connect (a device) to another device by using wires

  • : to use wire to close or hold (something)

Source: Merriam-Webster's Learner's Dictionary

Full Definition of wire


  1. transitive verb
  2. 1 :  to provide with wire :  use wire on for a specific purpose

  3. 2 :  to send or send word to by telegraph

  4. 3 :  to connect by or as if by a wire

  5. 4 :  to predispose, determine, or establish genetically or innately <controversy over the extent to which human violence is wired biologically>

  6. intransitive verb
  7. :  to send a telegraphic message

wirer play \ˈwī(-ə)r-ər\ noun

Examples of wire in a sentence

  1. The house will be wired next week.

  2. My room is wired for cable.

  3. The microphone is wired to the speaker.

  4. You can wire the generator to a car battery.

  5. Her jaw was wired shut after the accident.

  6. She wired the money home to Canada.

  7. Can you wire me $300?

  8. When you get in to town, wire me.

15th Century

First Known Use of wire

15th century

Rhymes with wire

WIRE Defined for Kids



noun \ˈwīr\

Definition of wire for Students

  1. 1 :  metal in the form of a thread or slender rod

  2. 2 :  a number of strands grouped together and used to send or receive electrical signals

  3. 3 :  telegram




Definition of wire for Students


  1. 1 :  to provide or equip with wire <An electrician wired the house.>

  2. 2 :  to bind with wire

  3. 3 :  to send or send word to by telegraph

Medical Dictionary


noun \ˈwī(ə)r\

Medical Definition of wire

  1. :  metal thread or a rod used in surgery to suture soft tissue or transfix fractured bone and in orthodontic dentistry to position teeth

wire transitive verb wired; wiring

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up wire? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).


the range of perception or understanding

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