firmware
/ˈfɜːm.weə(r)/ IELTSAcademic
noun
The software built into a device that helps it work. It stays on the device, usually in memory that is not easily changed.
- My phone needed a firmware update.
- The printer's firmware fixed the bug.
- This camera has old firmware.
Adinary Nuance
Firmware is not the same as software in general. Software can be installed, removed, or changed often, but firmware is built into the device and controls its basic functions. It is also different from hardware, which means the physical parts of the device.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- phần mềm nhúng
- Spanish
- firmware
- Chinese
- 固件
- Japanese
- ファームウェア
- Korean
- 펌웨어
Etymology
Firmware was coined in the 1960s from firm plus software. It first meant software stored in permanent or semi-permanent memory inside hardware.
Common phrases
firmware updateupdate the firmwarelatest firmwarefirmware version
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is firmware hardware or software?
- Firmware is software, but it lives inside hardware and controls the device's basic operations.
- Is firmware the same as software?
- No. Software is a broad word. Firmware is a special kind of software built into a device.
- Do I need to update firmware?
- Sometimes yes. Updates can fix bugs, improve speed, or add support for new features.