hamster

noun

ham·​ster ˈham(p)-stər 

: any of a subfamily (Cricetinae) of small Old World rodents having very large cheek pouches

Examples of hamster in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Do not accept riding the hamster wheel of mediocrity, because there will reach a point that the journey will become so entirely unfulfilling and exasperatingly predictable, that a portion of the fan base will tune out. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 2026

In an increasingly complicated hamster wheel of tech solutions, these health systems have decided to build the tools from scratch, executives told STAT’s Brittany Trang. —Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 28 Jan. 2026

But there also is a sense of the Heat wanting off this hamster wheel of mediocrity, positioned for what would be a fourth consecutive trip to the play-in round. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2026

Kia Soul The distinctively boxy Kia Soul and its hamster pitchmen mark the end of Kia’s quirky era. —Robert Duffer, AJC.com, 23 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

German, from Old High German hamustro, of Slavic origin; akin to Old Russian choměstorŭ hamster, of Iranian origin; akin to Avestan hamaēstar- oppressor

First Known Use

1607, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing hamster

• golden hamster
• Syrian hamster

Kids Definition

hamster

noun

ham·​ster ˈham(p)-stər 

: any of various small Old World rodents with a short tail and large cheek pouches

Medical Definition

hamster

noun

ham·​ster ˈham(p)-stər 

: any of numerous Old World rodents (Cricetus or a related genus) having very large cheek pouches and including several used as laboratory animals