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 of hammerhead

• 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

Massachusetts beachgoers don't have to worry too much about hammerheads. — Neal Riley, CBS News, 30 July 2026

During the 2015-2016 El Niño, two hammerhead shark bites were reported offshore. — Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 30 July 2026

Scientists have spotted an elusive shark called the smooth hammerhead shark (Sphyrna zygaena) in the archipelago off the coast of Ecuador for the first time in decades. — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 29 July 2026

Hammerhead shark sighting A hammerhead shark was spotted off Rhode Island last week. — Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 27 July 2026

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