hamlet

1 of 2

noun (1)

ham·​let ˈham-lət How to pronounce hamlet (audio)
: a small village

Hamlet

2 of 2

noun (2)

Ham·​let ˈham-lət How to pronounce Hamlet (audio)
: a legendary Danish prince and hero of Shakespeare's play Hamlet

Examples of hamlet in a Sentence

Noun (1) she always longed to return to the quiet hamlet where she had been born
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The bucolic hamlet has maintained its charm even as growth has subtly changed the town’s complexion. Matthew Odam, Austin American Statesman, 7 July 2025 The trial has drawn podcasters, film crews and true crime fans to the rural town of Morwell, a sedate hamlet in the state of Victoria better known for prize-winning roses. Preston Fore, Fortune, 7 July 2025 Just east of Lake Geneva in the canton of Vaud, hamlets in the mountainous Pays d’Enhaut region are easily reachable by train and less buzzy than their neighboring posh Bernese villages. John Oseid, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025 Country Girl Diner, Chester, VT: Tucked in the middle of this southwest Vermont hamlet is a true historic representation of a classic diner; one that’s still fully functioning. Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 18 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for hamlet

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French hamelet, diminutive of ham village, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English hām village, home

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1601, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hamlet was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hamlet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hamlet. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

hamlet

noun
ham·​let ˈham-lət How to pronounce hamlet (audio)
: a small village

More from Merriam-Webster on hamlet

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!