Entry 1 sense Webster, 1913 Hardship /(härd"shĭp)/ · Hard·ship · IPA /ˈhɑɹdˌʃɪp/ 01 n. That which is hard to bear, as toil, privation, injury, injustice, etc. 1. That which is hard to bear, as toil, privation, injury, injustice, etc.