often attributive
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 (such as a thin plant stem) that is wirelike
4
wires 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 sense 3b
b
: a telephone or telegraph wire or system
especially
: wire service
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
wired; wiring
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
: to send a telegraphic message
Examples of wire in a Sentence
Noun
The flowers were bound together with thin wire.
There was a wire sticking out of the chair.
A telephone wire had fallen on the road during the storm.
A short black wire connects the computer's monitor to its keyboard.
The undercover officer wore a wire to her meeting with the drug dealer.
Verb
The house will be wired next week.
My room is wired for cable.
The microphone is wired to the speaker.
You can wire the generator to a car battery.
Her jaw was wired shut after the accident.
She wired the money home to Canada.
Can you wire me $300?
When you get in to town, wire me.
Recent Examples on the Web
Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 24 Oct. 2025
When an aneurysm bursts, Moore said, clamping or coiling — filling the bubble with wire — are effective treatments.
—Kaan Ozcan, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2025
Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025
The Wild’s rare highlight came just past the midway point of the third period, with Minnesota trailing by three, when Matt Boldy wired a long-range shot just under the crossbar to spoil New Jersey’s shutout bid.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wire
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Welcome to Sportico’s transactions wire, a weekly rundown of personnel, partnerships, products and purchases across the sports business industry.
—Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 24 Oct. 2025
When an aneurysm bursts, Moore said, clamping or coiling — filling the bubble with wire — are effective treatments.
—Kaan Ozcan, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
In early 2024, the sport’s biggest name became embroiled in legal controversy when his personal interpreter and close confidant, Ippei Mizuhara, was found to have wired large payments from the player’s account to a bookmaking operation then under federal investigation.
—Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025
The Wild’s rare highlight came just past the midway point of the third period, with Minnesota trailing by three, when Matt Boldy wired a long-range shot just under the crossbar to spoil New Jersey’s shutout bid.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wire
Cite this Entry
“Wire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wire. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
wire
1 of 2 noun1
a
: metal in the form of a usually flexible thread or slender rod
b
: a thread or rod of metal
2
3
a
: the finish line of a race
b
: the final moment
the game came down to the wire
wire
2 of 2 verb
wired; wiring
1
: to provide or equip with wire or electricity
wire a house
2
: to bind, string, or mount with wire
3
: to send or send word to by telegraph
wire me some money right away
Medical Definition
wire
noun
: 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
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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