Which of the following is an example of hardware?

The monitor is an example of hardware because it is a physical component of a computer system that displays visual output. Hardware refers to the tangible parts of a computer or any electronic device that you can physically touch and interact with, such as the monitor, keyboard, and hard drive. These components are essential for a computer's operation and are designed to perform specific physical functions.

In contrast, the other options, such as Windows Vista, a database manipulation program, and Microsoft Word, are all types of software. Software consists of programs and applications that instruct the hardware on what tasks to perform, but they do not have a physical form that can be touched. Understanding the distinction between hardware and software is crucial in ICT, as it lays the foundation for comprehending how computer systems operate and how different components work together to perform various tasks.