wire
wire — noun
1. a slender, bendable strand of metal used for tying things together or making fra
a slender, bendable strand of metal used for tying things together or making frameworks such as baskets, fences, and cages
The farmer used a strong wire to fasten the broken section of the gate.
countable: 'a wire' = a piece or length of wire
Constanza twisted the copper wire tightly around the bundle of old newspapers.
A thin wire held the pieces of the broken pottery together while the glue dried.
The children used wire from a hanger to make a hook for their bird feeder.
- copper wire
- barbed wire
- steel wire
- roll of wire
- piece of wire
- wire fence
- wire mesh
Grammar Patterns
a piece of wire
length of wire
Usage Note
As a material, 'wire' is uncountable ('a roll of wire'). As a countable noun, 'a wire' means a specific piece or length used for a particular purpose.
Common Mistakes
2. a strand of metal covered in a protective plastic or rubber layer that carries e
a strand of metal covered in a protective plastic or rubber layer that carries electricity to power machines, devices, or systems
A loose wire behind the television was causing the fuzzy picture.
countable: 'a wire' = one electrical conductor
The electrician replaced the old wires in the kitchen during the renovation.
Be careful not to cut the wire when you trim the hedge near the house.
Cole checked all the wires connecting the speakers to the amplifier.
- electrical wire
- live wire
- ground wire
- wire stripper
- wire connection
- wire insulation
Grammar Patterns
wire + carries/delivers + electricity
connect + wire + to + device
Usage Note
Often referred to in the plural 'wires' when discussing a system of electrical connections. The phrase 'the wires' can mean the entire electrical system of a room or device.
Common Mistakes
3. a small microphone or recording device concealed inside clothing or an object, u
a small microphone or recording device concealed inside clothing or an object, used to record conversations without the speakers' knowledge
The undercover detective wore a wire to the meeting with the suspect.
collocation: 'wear a wire'
Kwame discovered a wire hidden inside the lamp on the office desk.
The judge ruled that the wire the police had planted was illegal without a warrant.
Yuna agreed to cooperate with the police and wear a wire during the drug deal.
- wear a wire
- plant a wire
- hidden wire
- police wire
- bug
a broader term for any hidden listening device, not necessarily worn on the body
- listening device
the formal or technical term for any equipment used to eavesdrop
Grammar Patterns
wear a wire
plant a wire
Usage Note
Common in crime and espionage contexts. 'Wearing a wire' is the standard phrase for a person carrying a concealed recording device, often used in undercover police work.
4. a barrier made of tightly stretched barbed or chain-link metal strands, particul
a barrier made of tightly stretched barbed or chain-link metal strands, particularly one surrounding a prison, prison camp, or military compound
The prisoners spent years looking out at the hills beyond the wire.
phrase: 'the wire' = the prison fence
The military camp was surrounded by high wire and concrete watchtowers.
Chiara could see the guards patrolling along the wire from her window.
The family stood outside the wire, waving goodbye to the departing soldiers.
- barbed wire
- behind the wire
- over the wire
- the wire
- fence
a general term for any barrier; 'wire' specifically suggests a prison or military context
- barbed wire
specifically wire with sharp points, often used on top of fences
Grammar Patterns
behind the wire
over the wire
the wire
Usage Note
Used with the definite article 'the wire' to refer to the perimeter fence of an institution. 'Behind the wire' is a set phrase meaning inside the prison or camp.
5. a string stretched across the track at the finish of a race that the winning run
a string stretched across the track at the finish of a race that the winning runner or horse breaks upon completing the course
The two horses crossed the wire at exactly the same moment.
phrase: 'cross the wire' = finish the race
Tamar watched the replay to see which runner hit the wire first.
The crowd cheered wildly as the leading runner broke through the wire.
The grey horse led from start to finish and broke the wire easily.
- cross the wire
- hit the wire
- down to the wire
- photo finish at the wire
- finish line
the general term; 'wire' is specific to racing contexts where a string or tape is actually broken
Grammar Patterns
cross the wire
hit the wire
Usage Note
Originally literal in horse racing and track sports; now also used figuratively in the idiom 'down to the wire' (decided at the very last moment).
6. a printed message sent using the telegraph system that was common in the past, d
a printed message sent using the telegraph system that was common in the past, delivered to the recipient as a written note
In 1943, families waited anxiously for a wire telling them their son was safe.
historical context: past communication system
Grandfather still keeps the old wire his brother sent from Tokyo in 1955.
The company sent a wire to confirm that the shipment had arrived in New York.
Hao's great-grandmother received a wire on her wedding day in 1928.
- send a wire
- receive a wire
- by wire
Grammar Patterns
send a wire
receive a wire
by wire
Usage Note
This sense is now historical. Telegraph systems were largely replaced by the telephone, fax, and later email. Modern equivalents would be a text message or email.
down to the wire
idiomcontinuing until the very last possible moment before a result or decision is reached
The election was down to the wire, with the final votes counted after midnight.
Our team's project went down to the wire, but we submitted it just before the deadline.
to misunderstand another person because each of you thought the other meant something different
I think we got our wires crossed — I said Wednesday, but you booked Friday.
The travel agency got its wires crossed and reserved hotels in two different cities.
live wire
idioma person who is extremely lively, energetic, and enthusiastic
Little Eve is a real live wire — she never stops running and laughing.
The new coach is a live wire who gets the whole team excited about practice.
pull wires
idiomto use your influence in a secret or indirect way to gain an advantage for yourself or someone else
The senator's father pulled wires behind the scenes to get him the committee position.
She refused to pull wires for her son and told him to earn the promotion himself.
To misunderstand someone because you both have different ideas about what was said.
Maya and I got our wires crossed about the meeting time.
Did we get our wires crossed? I thought you wanted the blue one.
To reach the final moment before a result is known, with great uncertainty.
The election went right down to the wire before the winner was announced.
Our project came down to the wire, but we finished on time.
a live wire
idiomA person who is very active, energetic, and exciting to be around.
Sara is a live wire who always gets the party started.
Diego's a live wire; he never sits still for a moment.
under the wire
idiomAt the last possible moment before a deadline or closing time.
Brian submitted his application just under the wire.
We got our order in under the wire before the store closed.
wire — verb
1. to attach or secure something firmly by wrapping or tying it with a thin metal s
to attach or secure something firmly by wrapping or tying it with a thin metal strand
Emre wired the broken fence post to the steel stake beside it.
pattern: wire + object + to + noun
The sculptor wired the metal pieces together before welding them.
Hao wired the loose pipe back into place behind the washing machine.
Linh wired the broken chair leg to the frame with strong steel wire.
- wire together
- wire in place
- wire to
- wire shut
Grammar Patterns
wire + object + to/onto + noun
wire + object + together/in place
Usage Note
Commonly used with a direct object and a location phrase. 'Wire something in place' is a typical pattern for securing items permanently.
2. to connect a device, building, or system to a power source or signal network by
to connect a device, building, or system to a power source or signal network by installing and attaching electrical wires
The electrician wired the entire new kitchen over the weekend.
pattern: wire + building/room
Christopher carefully wired the speaker system to the amplifier.
The apartment was wired for both cable television and high-speed internet.
passive: 'be wired for [service]'
Shanti hired a professional to wire the home theater system properly.
- wire up
- wire for
- wire into
- professionally wired
- wire a house
- wire a system
- disconnect
to remove the electrical connection
Grammar Patterns
wire + object + up
wire + object + into/to + noun
be wired + for + noun
Usage Note
Commonly used in the passive form ('the house is wired'). 'Wire up' is a frequent phrasal variant. 'Be wired for' indicates which services (electricity, internet, cable TV) are connected.
Common Mistakes
3. to send money from one bank account to another through an electronic payment sys
to send money from one bank account to another through an electronic payment system
Tamar's mother wired her five hundred dollars for the plane ticket.
pattern: wire + person + amount — double-object structure
The company wired the payment directly to the supplier's account in Hong Kong.
Cole wired the deposit to the landlord before the keys were handed over.
Please wire the remaining balance to our office by the end of the week.
- wire money
- wire transfer
- wire payment
- wire funds
- wire the deposit
Grammar Patterns
wire + money + to + person/account
wire + person + money
Usage Note
Also called a 'wire transfer'. The verb can take two objects: 'wire someone money' or 'wire money to someone'. This sense is still very current, unlike the telegram sense of 'wire'.
Common Mistakes
4. to use the telegraph system to deliver a written message or alert someone, as wa
to use the telegraph system to deliver a written message or alert someone, as was common before telephones were everywhere
In 1912, the captain wired news of the disaster to the company's headquarters.
historical context — past tense signals dated usage
Eve's grandfather wired his family when his ship finally reached San Francisco.
The general wired headquarters for more supplies and reinforcements.
Constanza's great-uncle wired them from Paris to announce his arrival date.
- wire for
- wire news
- wire back
- wire ahead
Grammar Patterns
wire + person + message
wire + that-clause
Usage Note
This sense is now historical. The telegraph system was the main form of long-distance instant communication before the telephone became widespread. Modern equivalents are 'text', 'email', or 'message'.
wire up
phrasal verbto connect a device or system to a power source or network by installing electrical wires
The technician wired up the new security cameras around the building.
Kwame wired up the computer network in the office over the weekend.
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
Wire, cable, thread, string, and cord all refer to long, thin lengths of material, but they differ in composition and use. Wire is made of metal and is stiff yet bendable, used for structural or electrical purposes. Cable is thicker than wire, often consisting of multiple wire strands twisted together, and is used for heavy-duty mechanical or electrical jobs — a suspension bridge uses cables, not wire. Thread is a very fine, soft strand of cotton, nylon, or silk, used only for sewing or weaving. String is made of twisted fibres, thicker than thread but softer than wire, used for tying packages or kites. Cord is thicker than string and often braided, used for curtains, electrical appliances, or decorative purposes. For example, you would use wire to secure a garden fence, cable to connect computer equipment, thread to sew a button, string to tie a gift box, and cord to hang a lamp from the ceiling.
Common collocations
Etymology
The word 'wire' comes from Old English 'wīr', meaning a thread of metal. It is related to Old Norse 'vírr' and comes from a Proto-Germanic root '*wīraz'. For hundreds of years, wire simply meant thin metal thread. In the mid-1800s, when the electric telegraph was invented, 'wire' gained the meanings of 'telegram' and 'telegraph message' — people said they would 'send a wire'. By the late 1800s, as electricity became common in homes, 'wire' also came to mean the insulated cables that carry electric current. The verb sense of wiring money dates from the 1860s, following the development of telegraph-based money transfers. The use of 'wire' for a hidden listening device emerged in the 1970s in crime and espionage contexts.