hammerhead

noun

ham·​mer·​head ˈha-mər-ˌhed 

1

: the striking part of a hammer

2

: blockhead

3

: any of a family (Sphyrnidae) of active voracious medium-sized sharks that have the eyes at the ends of lateral extensions of the flattened head see shark illustration

Synonyms

• idiot
• moron
• stupid
• dummy

Examples of hammerhead in a Sentence

we despair of ever getting those hammerheads to buckle their seat belts without prodding

Recent Examples on the Web

Smooth hammerheads and blacktip sharks spent comparatively more time near the surface, whereas white sharks, spinner sharks, and dusky sharks were active throughout much of the water column. —Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025

In the daytime, the pair encountered the planarians, often called hammerhead worms, hiding under rotting logs or rocks. —Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2025

Species include the Caribbean reef shark, oceanic white tips, great hammerheads, tiger sharks and bull sharks. —Chloe Mayer, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025

Stingrays are a staple in a Florida hammerhead's diet, along with grouper, sea catfish, a variety of bony fishes, sharks, crabs, and squid, per the FWC. —Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 4 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1562, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for hammerhead

• abovesaid
• aforesaid
• arrowhead
• casinghead
• copperhead
• figurehead
• fountainhead
• gingerbread
• infrared
• leatherhead
• letterhead
• loggerhead

Kids Definition

hammerhead

noun

ham·​mer·​head ˈham-ər-ˌhed 

: any of various active sharks of medium size that have the eyes at the ends of sideward extensions of the flattened head