Wire (noun) Definition, Meaning & Examples

noun

a slender, stringlike piece or filament of relatively rigid or flexible metal, usually circular in section, manufactured in a great variety of diameters and metals depending on its application.
such pieces as a material.
a length of such material, consisting either of a single filament or of several filaments woven or twisted together and usually insulated with a dielectric material, used as a conductor of electricity.
a cross wire or a cross hair.
a barbed-wire fence.
a long wire or cable used in cable, telegraph, or telephone systems.
a wire rope.
Informal.

a system of wires by which puppets are moved.
a metallic string of a musical instrument.
the member of a pickpocket team who picks the victim's pocket.
a wire stretched across and above the track at the finish line, under which the horses pass.
one of the extremely long, slender, wirelike filaments or shafts of the plumage of various birds.
a metal device for snaring rabbits and other small game.
the woven wire mesh over which the wet pulp is spread in a papermaking machine.
the telephone: There's someone on the wire for you.

adjective

verb (used with object), wired, wir·ing.

to furnish with wires.
to install an electric system of wiring in, as for lighting.
to fasten or bind with wire: He wired the halves together.
to put on a wire, as beads.
to send by telegraph, as a message: Please wire the money at once.
to send a telegraphic message to: She wired him to come at once.
to snare by means of a wire.
to equip with a hidden electronic device, as an eavesdropping device or an explosive.
to connect (a receiver, area, or building) to a television cable and other equipment so that cable television programs may be received.
to be closely connected or involved with: a law firm wired into political circles.
to prepare, equip, fix, or arrange to suit needs or goals: The sales force was wired for an all-out effort.
to block (a ball) by placing it behind the wire of an arch.

verb (used without object), wired, wir·ing.

Idioms

to the very last moment or the very end, as in a race or competition: The candidates campaigned down to the wire.
to use one's position or influence to obtain a desired result: to pull wires to get someone a job.
just within the limit or deadline; scarcely; barely: to get an application in under the wire.

noun

a slender flexible strand or rod of metal
a cable consisting of several metal strands twisted together
a flexible metallic conductor, esp one made of copper, usually insulated, and used to carry electric current in a circuit
of, relating to, or made of wire
anything made of wire, such as wire netting, a barbed wire fence, etc
a long continuous wire or cable connecting points in a telephone or telegraph system
old-fashioned

a metallic string on a guitar, piano, etc
the finishing line on a racecourse
a wire-gauze screen upon which pulp is spread to form paper during the manufacturing process
anything resembling a wire, such as a hair
a snare made of wire for rabbits and similar animals
right up to the last moment
to accomplish something with little time to spare
to misunderstand
to exert influence behind the scenes, esp through personal connections; pull strings
to compete to the bitter end to win a competition or title

verb (mainly tr)

to send a telegram to (a person or place)
to send (news, a message, etc) by telegraph
to equip (an electrical system, circuit, or component) with wires
to fasten or furnish with wire
to provide (an area) with fibre optic cabling to receive cable television
to string (beads, etc) on wire
to leave (a player's ball) so that a hoop or peg lies between it and the other balls
to snare with wire
to set about (something, esp food) with enthusiasm

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