Hampshire

Hamp·shire

noun \ˈham(p)-ˌshir, -shər\

Definition of HAMPSHIRE

1

: any of a British breed of large hornless black-faced mutton-producing sheep —called also Hampshire Down

2

: any of an American breed of black white-belted swine

Origin of HAMPSHIRE

Hampshire, England

First Known Use: 1918

Hamp·shire

geographical name \ˈhamp-ˌshir, -shər\

Definition of HAMPSHIRE

county S England on English Channel ∗ Winchester area 1509 square miles (3908 square kilometers), pop 1,511,900

Variants of HAMPSHIRE

Hamp·shire or Hants \ˈhants\

Hampshire

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Administrative (pop., 2001: 1,240,032), geographic, and historic county, south-central England. It lies on the English Channel; Winchester is the county's administrative centre. The Test and Avon are major rivers. Evidence of prehistoric settlement ranging from the Bronze Age to the Iron Age exists in the area. Towns developed at Silchester and Winchester during the Roman occupation. The region suffered from attacks by the Norse, but during the Middle Ages it was comparatively peaceful and came to be known for its woolens. Portsmouth and Gosport form one of Britain's principal naval centres, and Southampton is a major passenger port.