1
: the quality or state of being hard
2
a
: the cohesion of the particles on the surface of a mineral as determined by its capacity to scratch another or be itself scratched compare mohs' scale
b
: resistance of metal to indentation under a static load or to scratching
Examples of hardness in a Sentence
the hardness of a diamond
The wood's hardness makes it suitable for carving.
Recent Examples on the Web
Reynolds lends a hardness to Masha, at once bitter and comic, and her leading of a game of bingo at the play’s resolution restores some dark humor just as tragedy is about to strike.
—
Demetrios Matheou, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2025
Objects of varying size, shape and hardness were manipulated.
—Erico Guizzo, IEEE Spectrum, 21 Oct. 2016
Add a Magnetic Water Conditioner Like a water softener, a magnetic water conditioner controls the hardness of the water in the home.
—Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Mar. 2025
Calcium is instrumental for developing strong bones and teeth, supplying both structure and hardness to your physical architecture.
—Caroline Tien, SELF, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hardness
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Demetrios Matheou, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2025
Objects of varying size, shape and hardness were manipulated.
—Erico Guizzo, IEEE Spectrum, 21 Oct. 2016
Add a Magnetic Water Conditioner Like a water softener, a magnetic water conditioner controls the hardness of the water in the home.
—Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Mar. 2025
Calcium is instrumental for developing strong bones and teeth, supplying both structure and hardness to your physical architecture.
—Caroline Tien, SELF, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hardness
Cite this Entry
“Hardness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hardness. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hardness
noun
hard·ness
ˈhärd-nəs 
1
: the quality or state of being hard
2
: the ability of a substance (as a mineral) to scratch another substance or be itself scratched
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