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

Princess, a senior Chihuahua, rests with her eyes closed and body curled into a tight cocoon, as a frenetic hamster named Ponby stands upright, his eyes bulging. —Jessie Schiewe, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2025

Still, the authors acknowledged that the results only extend to cats and dogs, not fish, hamsters, rabbits, or other animals people keep as pets. —Stephanie Anderson Witmer, Health, 24 Apr. 2025

Reynolds seems to have the attention span of a hamster. —Bill Wyman, Vulture, 28 Feb. 2025

Within weeks, advocates began asking questions about where specifically the rabbits, guinea pigs, rats and hamsters ended up. —Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 June 2025

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