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Definition of hammer
1a : a hand tool consisting of a solid head set crosswise on a handle and used for poundingb : 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: such asa : a lever with a striking head for ringing a bell or striking a gongb (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 cartridgec : malleusd : gavele (1) : a padded mallet in a piano action for striking a string (2) : a hand mallet for playing on various percussion instruments (such as a xylophone)
3 : a metal sphere thrown for distance in the hammer throw
4 : accelerator b
under the hammer
: for sale at auction
People Are Reading
Recent Examples of hammer from the Web
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Trail was found on April 29, 1997, wrapped in a rug, his head bludgeoned by a hammer.
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Reflecting an ongoing evolution within the Marine Corps, Camp Pendleton on Thursday will stand up a new command modeled after its insignia — a cross shield and a hammer, protecting the force while relentlessly bludgeoning its foes.
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John Weaver, a GOP consultant and frequent Trump critic, was more blunt in explaining why Trump has been unable to rule with a hammer.
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Anyone who has experienced foot pain such as that caused by neuroma, bunions or hammer toes knows how debilitating and discouraging these common foot problems are.
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Amber Campbell (Pike) was fourth in the women’s hammer despite her longest throw (241 feet, 5 inches) since winning last year’s Olympic Trials.
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Throughout the effort children as young as 18 months were swinging hammers, and adults as old as 80 were helping too.
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Zilverberg took gold medals home in bowling (with a 391 final score), javelin (with a throw of 16 feet 5 inches), shot put (8 feet 9 inches) and hammer throw (12 feet 9 inches).
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The lesson here is coaches are the nail and the board has the hammer.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hammer'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of hammer
Middle English hamer, from Old English hamor; akin to Old High German hamar hammer, and perhaps to Old Church Slavonic kamen-, kamy stone, Greek akmē point, edge — more at edge
hammer
Definition of hammer
hammered
;hammering
play \ˈha-mər-iŋ, ˈham-riŋ\intransitive verb
1 : to strike blows especially repeatedly with or as if with a hammer : pound
2 : to make repeated efforts; especially : to reiterate an opinion or attitude the lectures all hammered away at the same points
transitive verb
1a : to beat, drive, or shape with repeated blows of a hammerb : to fasten or build with a hammer
2 : to strike or drive with a force suggesting a hammer blow or repeated blows hammered the ball over the fence tried to hammer me into submission
3 : to criticize severely
Examples of hammer in a Sentence
He hammered the dent out of the fender.
The carpenters were hammering all afternoon.
The workers are hammering the studs to the frame.
The batter hammered the ball over the fence.
Someone tried to hammer him over the head with a club.
Many towns were hammered by the hurricane.
The typist's fingers were hammering the keys.
He was hammering at the door.
The rain hammered down on the roof.
The home team was hammered 9–0.
Recent Examples of hammer from the Web
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For the bench, Parlette hammered, forged and welded bronze pieces to build the strand of kelp, which contributes to an overall theme of a family tree representing multiple generations.
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LSU hammered South Carolina's (35-25) first two pitchers, Colby Lee and John Parke, for 10 combined earned runs in two-plus innings.
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Lawyers on both sides worked to hammer out a settlement, a process rife with accusations and continuances.
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But Mike Poe, construction manager for Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana is standing by to guide them and make sure the nails are hammered in straight.
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That was Monday, when the Phillies hammered the Cubs 10-2.
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In late March, Tropical Cyclone Debbie hammered Australia's coast, disrupting global supplies and making U.S. coal even more valuable.
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A length of rubber tubing had been affixed shoddily to the pipe’s inlet valve, and Manjunath spent a few minutes using a handy rock to hammer the tubing tight over the valve’s mouth.
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With less than a week to go, Le Pen, 48, and Macron, 39, are hammering home their arguments to voters as the two finalists in France’s tumultuous 2017 election campaign.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hammer'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of hammer
14th century
HAMMER Defined for English Language Learners
hammer
playDefinition of hammer for English Language Learners
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: a tool that has a heavy metal head attached to a handle and that is used for hitting nails or breaking things apart
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: a similar tool made usually of wood and used especially for hitting a surface to make a loud noise
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: the part of a gun that strikes a charge causing the gun to shoot
hammer
Definition of hammer for English Language Learners
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: to force (something) into a particular place or shape by hitting it with a hammer
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: to attach (something) with a hammer and nails
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: to hit (something or someone) in a very forceful way
HAMMER Defined for Kids
Definition of hammer for Students
1 : a tool consisting of a head fastened to a handle and used for pounding something (as a nail)
2 : something like a hammer in shape or action an auctioneer's hammer
3 : a heavy metal ball with a flexible handle thrown for distance in a track-and-field contest (hammer throw)
Definition of hammer for Students
hammered
;hammering
1 : to strike with a hammer
2 : to fasten or build (as by nailing) with a hammer Hammer the lid shut.
3 : to hit something hard and repeatedly She hammered on the door.
4 : to beat hard His heart hammered.
hammer out
: to produce or bring about by persistent effort “They hammered out those rules after the failure ten years ago.” — Lois Lowry, The Giver
Medical Dictionary
Learn More about hammer
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See words that rhyme with hammer Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for hammer Spanish Central: Translation of hammer Nglish: Translation of hammer for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of hammer for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hammer
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