hammer

noun ham·mer \ ˈha-mər \

|Updated on: 15 Jun 2018

Examples: hammer in a Sentence

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

Some of the people Amnesty spoke to described being severely beaten with sticks, hammers and while blindfolded by soldiers in the Cameroon army.

— stephanie busari, CNN, "Cameroon security forces torturing English speakers, Amnesty says," 11 June 2018
At his disposal are tools such as moisture readers and TruFirm, a device that has an impact hammer the shape of a golf ball that drops onto the turf from a consistent height.

— doug ferguson, chicagotribune.com, "U.S. Open setup relies as much on science as instincts," 9 June 2018
Hydraulic hammers sent shock waves through the ground in Jackson County early Saturday morning, bringing down three aging bridges that needed replacement.

— allison kite, kansascity, "Three Jackson County bridges come falling down; demolition closes I-70," 9 June 2018
Everyone needs a trusty drill, and the best handling one out there is the DeWalt 20v impact hammer drill.

— popular mechanics shop team, Popular Mechanics, "Today's Best Deals: Our Favorite DeWalt Drill For Under $100," 7 June 2018
Denzel Comenentia becomes the third man in NCAA history to turn a winning shot/hammer double.

— OregonLive.com, "Women take over at Hayward, and Ducks look for a better day; Oregon track & Field rundown," 7 June 2018
Another shows a young man opening his garage door, sifting through a toolbox, and forcefully slamming a hammer down on his left hand.

— lev facher, STAT, "Crashing cars into walls, breaking hands with hammers: How the White House is warning against opioids," 7 June 2018
Another young man grabs a hammer, takes three breaths, and brings it down on his hand.

— NBC News, "New prescription for opioid crisis: Hard-hitting ads that 'nail' the desperation," 7 June 2018
Then, take your phones and bash them with a hammer into little itsy bitsy pieces.

— jay willis, GQ, "Sean Hannity Encourages Mueller Witnesses to Do Even More Crimes Than They May Already Have Committed," 7 June 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

In 2014, at Christie’s in New York, Ruscha’s 1963 Smash (that word, italicized and all caps, yellow on dark blue) was hammered down at $30.4 million.

— mark rozzo, Vanities, "Ed Ruscha Still Has Plenty More to Say About America," 30 May 2018
Stephan’s campaign has hammered Jones-Wright on her lack of experience, making the case to voters that someone who has never prosecuted a case and has far less experience than she can’t be trusted with the office.

— greg moran, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Experience a key issue in district attorney race," 29 May 2018
The tabletops in the dining area are hammered hoods of old Buicks and Chevys.

— rick tetzeli, Fortune, "GM Gets Ready for a Post-Car Future," 23 May 2018
New Amsterdam gets its kick from hammering on that reliable trope, with Ryan Eggold as the only decent doctor at New Amsterdam hospital (inspired by New York's Bellevue) who makes enemies but gets results.

— kelly lawler, USA TODAY, "Fall TV trailers: Snap judgments on the new network shows, from 'Magnum P.I.' to 'Charmed'," 18 May 2018
The earthquake and tsunami that hammered Fukushima on March 11, 2011 triggered meltdowns in three of its six reactors.

— vince beiser, WIRED, "Fukushima’s Other Big Problem: A Million Tons of Radioactive Water," 27 Apr. 2018
Meanwhile, protests over education funding dominated the state's headlines, leading to a teacher walkout Wednesday and giving Democrats an opening to hammer Ducey and other Republicans on a local issue.

— eric bradner, CNN, "Democrats set sights on turning Arizona blue after special election result," 26 Apr. 2018
The Renacci campaign this week began running radio ads and printed mail pieces hammering Gibbons on this point.

— andrew j. tobias, cleveland.com, "We think we know how the Ohio Republican primary election will turn out. But could there be an upset?," 24 Apr. 2018
With City potentially taking their eye off the game to focus on overturning a hefty Champions League quarter final deficit after being hammered 3-0 by Liverpool on Wednesday, Mourinho's options for this weekend have been significantly boosted.

— SI.com, "Jose Mourinho Boosted as 4 Man Utd Players Return Back to Fitness Ahead of Manchester Derby," 6 Apr. 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