wire
/ˈwaɪə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈwaɪər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈwī(-ə)r/ (ame, mw) · /waɪər/ (bre, ipa) · /waɪr/ (ame, ipa)
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.
文法句型
a piece of wire
length of wire
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
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.
文法句型
wire + carries/delivers + electricity
connect + wire + to + device
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
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.
- 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
文法句型
wear a wire
plant a wire
用法筆記
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.
- 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
文法句型
behind the wire
over the wire
the wire
用法筆記
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.
- finish line
the general term; 'wire' is specific to racing contexts where a string or tape is actually broken
文法句型
cross the wire
hit the wire
用法筆記
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.
文法句型
send a wire
receive a wire
by wire
用法筆記
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.
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.
文法句型
wire + object + to/onto + noun
wire + object + together/in place
用法筆記
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.
Shanti hired a professional to wire the home theater system properly.
- disconnect
to remove the electrical connection
文法句型
wire + object + up
wire + object + into/to + noun
be wired + for + noun
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
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.
文法句型
wire + money + to + person/account
wire + person + money
用法筆記
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'.
常見錯誤
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.
文法句型
wire + person + message
wire + that-clause
用法筆記
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'.