First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1wire
noun, often attributive \ˈwī(-ə)r\
: 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
Full Definition of WIRE
1
a : metal in the form of a usually very flexible thread or slender rod b : a thread or rod of such material
2
a : wirework b : the meshwork of parallel or woven wire on which the wet web of paper forms
3
: something (as a thin plant stem) that is wirelike
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
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
: fencing or a fence of usually barbed wire
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
: wirehair
— wire·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective
— under the wire
1
: at the finish line
2
: at the last moment
— wire to wire or from wire to wire
: from start to finish <led the race wire to wire>
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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
2wire
verb
: 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)
wiredwir·ing
Full Definition of WIRE
transitive verb
1
: to provide with wire : use wire on for a specific purpose
2
: to send or send word to by telegraph
3
: to connect by or as if by a wire
4
: to predispose, determine, or establish genetically or innately <controversy over the extent to which human violence is wired biologically>
intransitive verb
: to send a telegraphic message
— wir·er \ˈwī(-ə)r-ər\ noun
See wire defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of WIRE
15th century
WIRELIKE Defined for Kids
1wire
noun \ˈwīr\
Definition of WIRE for Kids
1
: metal in the form of a thread or slender rod
2
: a number of strands grouped together and used to send or receive electrical signals
3
: telegram
2wire
verb
wiredwir·ing
Definition of WIRE for Kids
1
: to provide or equip with wire <An electrician wired the house.>
2
: to bind with wire
3
: to send or send word to by telegraph
Medical Dictionary
wire
noun \ˈwī(ə)r\
Medical Definition of WIRE
: 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 wir·ing
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