hammer

¹ham·mer

noun \ˈha-mər\

Definition of HAMMER

1

a : a hand tool consisting of a solid head set crosswise on a handle and used for pounding b : a power tool that often substitutes a metal block or a drill for the hammerhead

2

: something that resembles a hammer in form or action: as a : a lever with a striking head for ringing a bell or striking a gong b (1) : an arm that strikes the cap in a percussion lock to ignite the propelling charge (2) : a part of the action of a modern gun that strikes the primer of the cartridge in firing or that strikes the firing pin to ignite the cartridge c : malleus d : gavel e (1) : a padded mallet in a piano action for striking a string (2) : a hand mallet for playing on various percussion instruments (as a xylophone)

3

: a metal sphere thrown for distance in the hammer throw

4

: accelerator b

— under the hammer

: for sale at auction

Origin of HAMMER

Middle English hamer, from Old English hamor; akin to Old High German hamar hammer, and perhaps to Old Church Slavic kamen-, kamy stone, Greek akmē point, edge — more at edge

First Known Use: before 12th century

Rhymes with HAMMER

clamber, clammer, clamor, crammer, gammer, glamour, grammar, jammer, lamber, rammer, scammer, shammer, slammer, spammer, stammer, yammer