wire
noun
uk/waɪər/ us [ C or U ] PRODUCTION
a piece of long thin metal that can be bent or used to hold things together:
Thin strands of copper wire are wrapped around the connection and soldered.
[ C or U ] COMMUNICATIONS
a piece of long thin metal that can carry signals or electricity:
electrical/telephone wire
The wires had been cut, leaving the building in darkness.
[ U ] BANKING, COMMUNICATIONS US
an electronic system for sending money from one bank account to another:
by wire Amounts over $1,000 can be transferred to your bank account by wire or by check.
Compare
telegraphic transfer
[ C ] COMMUNICATIONS
a piece of electronic equipment that someone wears so that other people can secretly listen to their conversation, especially when trying to trick someone:
He agreed to wear a wire to the meeting as part of the FBI investigation.
down to the wire
if something is down to the wire, it is not clear or decided until the last possible moment:
go/come down to the wire It was likely the leadership contest would go down to the wire.
Contract negotiations with two unions that represent more than 100,000 employees are expected to go right down to the wire.
get your wires crossed informal
if people get their wires crossed, they have a different understanding of the same situation:
We must have got our wires crossed, because I thought the meeting was next week.
wire
verb [ T ]
uk/waɪər/ us BANKING, COMMUNICATIONS US
to send money from one bank account to another using an electronic system:
The insurance company wired the payment directly to our account.
COMMUNICATIONS US
in the past, to send someone a telegram (= message sent over electrical wires and printed out)
Phrasal verb
wire sth up (to sth)