hack

Definition of hack

Pronunciation

• IPA: /hæk/
• Rhymes: -æk

Etymology

From Old English tohaccian (“hack to pieces”)

Verb

hack (third-person singular simple present hacks, present participle hacking, simple past and past participle hacked)

1. (slang, computing) To hack into; to gain unauthorized access to a computer system (e.g. website) or network by manipulating code; a crack.
2. (computing) To accomplish a difficult programming task.
   
   He can hack like no one else and make the program work as expected.
   
   
3. (computing) To make a quick code change to patch a computer program, often one that is inelegant or that makes the program harder to maintain.
   
   I hacked in a fix for this bug, but we'll still have to do a real fix later.

Synonyms

• (gain unauthorized access): crack

Noun

hack (plural hacks)

1. (computing, slang) An illegal attempt to gain access to a computer network.
2. (computing) An interesting technical achievement, particularly in computer programming.
3. (computing) A small code change meant to patch a problem as quickly as possible.
4. (computing) An expedient, temporary solution, meant to be replaced with a more elegant solution at a later date.