hammer

1 of 2

noun

ham·​mer ˈha-mər How to pronounce hammer (audio)
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
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

hammer

2 of 2

verb

hammered; hammering ˈha-mər-iŋ How to pronounce hammer (audio)
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 noun
Phrases
under the hammer
: for sale at auction

Examples of hammer in a Sentence

Verb 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 on the Web
Noun
Leonid Volkov, the former chief of staff of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, was attacked with a hammer outside his home on Tuesday, Navalny’s spokesperson Kira Yarmysh said. Sammy Westfall, Washington Post, 12 Mar. 2024 The probe of two large python farms in Thailand took place from February through November of last year, with undercover workers shooting graphic and disturbing video of pythons continuing to move about while having their heads bashed with hammers and impaled with metal hooks. Kate Gibson, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2024 Deputies said the caller reported she was parked in a driveway when a stranger approached with a chainsaw in one hand and a hammer in the other. Stepheny Price, Fox News, 6 Mar. 2024 Bridges added a hammer dunk over Turner on Charlotte's next possession, bringing the crowd to its feet. Steve Reed, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2024 Although Mario and Donkey Kong have gone their separate ways and had success in side-scrolling platformers, the concept of leaping over obstacles, climbing ladders and grabbing hammer power-ups still had level design and gameplay potential. Gieson Cacho, The Mercury News, 1 Mar. 2024 Defense hammers at portrayal of Rebecca Grossman as reckless and impaired. Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2024 The steady sounds of circular saws and hammers punctuated the air as volunteers fanned out blocks in every direction. Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2024 Investigators are analyzing the knife and hammer, the Paris prosecutor’s office said. Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 3 Feb. 2024
Verb
Commercial banks like New York Community Bancorp have been hammered by falling values in the commercial real estate market after the pandemic upended work in offices for millions. Michelle Chapman, Quartz, 1 Mar. 2024 Lawyers for the defendants tried to hammer home the idea that none of their clients were, at the time, told about the contract or given a copy of it. David Browne, Rolling Stone, 28 Feb. 2024 So per usual, the middle class here is going to get hammered. Julia Moskin, New York Times, 27 Feb. 2024 California was hammered with extreme rainfall in 2023, as more than a dozen atmospheric-river storms battered the state. Denise Chow, NBC News, 25 Feb. 2024 Republicans, who for years have hammered Democrats as soft on border security, are overwhelmingly viewed more favorably on the issue. Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 10 Feb. 2024 The combination of these two, as well as other issues, have hammered many bank balance sheets, which show their assets and liabilities. Zain Jaffer, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024 Maybe someone was late to pick up or got hammered by an in-law for their parenting approach. Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 15 Feb. 2024 The company continues to confront the ravages of audience declines in linear television, which have hammered the ABC network and longtime cash cow ESPN. Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 13 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hammer.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hammer was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near hammer

Cite this Entry

“Hammer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hammer. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

hammer

1 of 2 noun
ham·​mer ˈham-ər How to pronounce hammer (audio)
1
a
: a hand tool that consists of a solid head set crosswise on a handle and is used for pounding (as in driving nails)
b
: a power tool for pounding
2
: something that resembles a hammer in shape or action (as the part of a gun whose striking action causes explosion of the charge)
3
4
: a heavy metal ball with a flexible handle that is thrown for distance in a track-and-field contest

hammer

2 of 2 verb
hammered; hammering ˈham-(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce hammer (audio)
1
: to strike blows with or as if with a hammer : pound
2
a
: to make repeated efforts
hammer away at one's lessons
b
: to emphasize (as an opinion) by repetition
hammers his point home
3
: to fasten, build, drive, or shape with a hammer
hammerer noun

Medical Definition

hammer

noun
ham·​mer ˈham-ər How to pronounce hammer (audio)

More from Merriam-Webster on hammer

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