hammer

noun ham·mer \ ˈha-mər \

Updated on: 21 Apr 2018

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: such 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 (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

See hammer defined for English-language learners

See hammer defined for kids

Recent Examples of hammer from the Web

There are still times when the depression hammers down and months vanish out from under me, when the suicidal ideation returns.

— keith gessen, The New Yorker, "The Silence: The Legacy of Childhood Trauma," 10 Apr. 2018
The inmates used hammers and scissors in their attacks on staff, according to OSHA, which has proposed a $7,000 fine.

— gavin off and ames alexander, charlotteobserver, "Investigators find multiple failures at NC prison after deadly escape attempt | Charlotte Observer," 10 Apr. 2018
The 13-year-old ran out of the house, leaving behind the hammer and a bag, the complaint said.

— jane ford-stewart, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "15-year-old gets 34 years for deaths of West Allis brothers, ages 19 and 17," 10 Apr. 2018
The sounds of hammers and nail guns wielded by construction crews mingle with the squawking of seagulls.

— martin kuz, San Antonio Express-News, "After the hurricane, the storm within," 9 Apr. 2018
Things begin with the men's hammer and women's discus at 11:30 a.m. Action on the track starts at 2 p.m. The Pepsi is intriguing for several reasons.

— ken goe, OregonLive.com, "UO Ducks begin final season at the current Hayward Field: Oregon track & field rundown," 6 Apr. 2018
Reeb says Conditt was in the process of gutting the house and remodeling it, which meant a lot of hammers and nails around frequently.

— Bloomberg.com, "Austin Suspect ID'd as Mark Anthony Conditt," 21 Mar. 2018
There's still plenty more to go, said Superintendent Nick Polyak, advising community members not to pass up the cookies from the school home economic department, molded in the shapes of hammers and saws.

— staff report, chicagotribune.com, "A glimpse at the future: Leyden community gathers for second phase of district construction project," 19 Mar. 2018
After hiding behind a couch for some time, Targo allegedly attacked Miceli’s mother in the kitchen, striking her in the head with the hammer and seriously injuring her.

— clifford ward, Wheaton Glen Ellyn, "Man charged in alleged murder-for-hire attack on Glen Ellyn-area couple pleads not guilty," 12 Mar. 2018

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

hammer

verb

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

1 a : to beat, drive, or shape with repeated blows of a hammer

b : 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

—

hammerer

play \ˈha-mər-ər\ noun

See hammer defined for English-language learners

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

Eyre hammered away at a problem (in this case, drug wholesalers dumping millions of painkillers on small towns in West Virginia) until the nation took notice.

— rob byers, Time, "Only You Have the Power to Save Your Local News from Corporate Vultures," 14 Apr. 2018
Asos hammered satin one-shoulder maxi dress, $76; asos.com Get Kelly’s Look for Less Buy It!

— colleen kratofil, PEOPLE.com, "BFFs Mandy Moore and Minka Kelly Reunited – and Gave Serious Wedding Guest Dress Inspiration," 6 Apr. 2018
Trump, during the primary, hammered Bush over that characterization.

— gregory krieg, CNN, "The Trump era has been very good to Iraq War hawks," 23 Mar. 2018
In the year following Trump’s victory, public interest advocates hammered Cambridge Analytica over its data practices, and other publications, particularly The Intercept, dug into its practices.

— nicholas thompson and fred vogelstein, WIRED, "A Hurricane Flattens Facebook," 20 Mar. 2018
By contrast, Lamb hammered the new GOP tax law as a giveaway to corporations at the certain future expense of Social Security, Medicare and the nation's fiscal security.

— samuel chamberlain, Fox News, "Pennsylvania special House election too close to call, winner may be determined by recount," 14 Mar. 2018
But price cutting by competitors and tepid demand for items like basketball shoes have hammered the stock and put pressure on profit margins.

— Fortune, "Dick's Sporting Goods Is Tumbling – But Don't Blame Its New Policy on Guns," 13 Mar. 2018
Nearly a quarter of a million people were still without power on Monday afternoon after a ferocious Nor’easter hammered the East Coast — and many residents were bracing for round two with a second storm forecast to roll into the region late Tuesday.

— kalhan rosenblatt, NBC News, "Second storm forecast for East Coast already struggling with power outages," 5 Mar. 2018
Northwest Nazarene hammered the Seawolves 104-78 to forge a first-place tie with UAA in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference standings.

— Anchorage Daily News, "Northwest Nazarene shooters are too hot for UAA to handle," 23 Feb. 2018

First Known Use of hammer

14th century

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

hammer Synonyms

Synonyms

bang, bash, bat, belt, bludgeon, bob, bonk, bop, box, bust, clap, clip, clobber, clock, clout, crack, hit, knock, nail, paste, pound, punch, rap, slam, slap, slog, slug, smack, smite, sock, strike, swat, swipe, thump, thwack, wallop, whack, whale, zap;

scuff;

bunt, flick, stroke, tap;

bump, butt, jab, jostle, kick, knee, poke, prod, push, shove, stamp;

bowl (down or over), cream, deck, fell, floor, knock down, level;

rabbit-punch, sucker punch;

cane, club, cudgel, flail, flog, lash, sap, slash, sledge, sledgehammer, spear, stab, switch, thrash, whip;

bean, brain, conk, skull;

Phrases

hang one on;

HAMMER Defined for English Language Learners

hammer

noun

Definition of hammer for English Language Learners

: a tool that has a heavy metal head attached to a handle and that is used for hitting nails or breaking things apart
: a similar tool made usually of wood and used especially for hitting a surface to make a loud noise
: the part of a gun that strikes a charge causing the gun to shoot

hammer

verb

Definition of hammer for English Language Learners

: to force (something) into a particular place or shape by hitting it with a hammer
: to attach (something) with a hammer and nails
: to hit (something or someone) in a very forceful way

HAMMER Defined for Kids

hammer

noun ham·mer \ ˈha-mər \

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 )

hammer

verb

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

hammer

noun ham·mer \ ˈham-ər \

medical Definition of hammer

: malleus

Learn More about hammer

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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hammer

Definition of hammer

Recent Examples of hammer from the Web

Origin and Etymology of hammer

hammer

Definition of hammer

hammerer

Examples of hammer in a Sentence

Recent Examples of hammer from the Web

First Known Use of hammer

hammer Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Phrases

Phrases Related to HAMMER

Related Phrases

HAMMER Defined for English Language Learners

hammer

Definition of hammer for English Language Learners

hammer

Definition of hammer for English Language Learners

HAMMER Defined for Kids

hammer

Definition of hammer for Students

hammer

Definition of hammer for Students

Medical Dictionary

hammer

medical Definition of hammer

Learn More about hammer

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