hardwired
adjective
hard·wired
ˈhärd-ˌwī(-ə)rd 
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
Jane E. Brody 2
: genetically or innately determined : inborn
creature whose every action is a reflexive, hardwired response—Natalie Angier
Natalie Angier
also
: genetically or innately predisposed
a human being who is hardwired to be sociable —Forbes
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
For McIlroy, remembering those real experiences, and particularly the displays of strength that came after them, is the key to sorting through the alarm bells that his brain is hardwired to provide.
—Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
In its current form, the robot is hardwired to an external power source and guided by an external motion-tracking system.
—Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 10 Apr. 2025
The theater’s artistic triumphs (in good seasons) and the raucous, even dangerous neighborhood (nearly every season) are both hardwired into the Times Square DNA.
—Frank Rich, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2025
The former is hardwired in the primitive brain (selecting for physical and social strength) and the latter is probably hardwired into the neocortex (selecting for the strength of intelligence).
—Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hardwired
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.
Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
In its current form, the robot is hardwired to an external power source and guided by an external motion-tracking system.
—Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 10 Apr. 2025
The theater’s artistic triumphs (in good seasons) and the raucous, even dangerous neighborhood (nearly every season) are both hardwired into the Times Square DNA.
—Frank Rich, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2025
The former is hardwired in the primitive brain (selecting for physical and social strength) and the latter is probably hardwired into the neocortex (selecting for the strength of intelligence).
—Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hardwired
Cite this Entry
“Hardwired.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hardwired. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hardwired
adjective
hard·wired
-ˌwī(ə)rd
: having or done using or as if using permanent electronic circuits or connections
a hardwired phone
a parent hardwired to defend their child
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share