hammock

1 of 2

noun (1)

ham·​mock ˈha-mək How to pronounce hammock (audio)
: a swinging couch or bed usually made of netting or canvas and slung by cords from supports at each end

Illustration of hammock

Illustration of hammock
  • 1hammock

hammock

2 of 2

noun (2)

1
2
: a fertile area in the southern U.S. and especially Florida that is usually higher than its surroundings and that is characterized by hardwood vegetation and deep humus-rich soil

Examples of hammock in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Pawleys Island is known for its low-key flip-flop attitude and handwoven hammocks (from the Original Hammock Shop) as much as its surfing prowess and quiet beaches. Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 27 Nov. 2023 And when in doubt, the flourish of a fabulous Brazilian jacquard hammock has the right air of whimsy to it to grace any bachelor pad. Todd Plummer, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Nov. 2023 All around was the same mix of hope and desperation, spilling out of hammocks, homemade chairs and the ubiquitous tents pieced together with colorful tarps, uprooted tree trunks and scrap wood. Jay Root, New York Times, 29 Oct. 2023 The group of officers made their way through the thin, bare trees and found two people tucked into a hammock. Hilary Beaumont, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2023 From a portable camping hammock that’s marked down to half its original price to a cushy sleeping pad and durable four-person dome camping tent, there are plenty of deals for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy. Amber Love Bond, Travel + Leisure, 11 Nov. 2023 Find it on Amazon A Cozy Hammock is Perfect for Adventurers Kick back and enjoy the outdoors in a cozy hammock. Claire Rutter, Rolling Stone, 9 Nov. 2023 After your return from sightseeing, soak in a year-round heated pool, hang in a hammock, or play yard games before gathering around a fire pit for s’mores o’clock. Perri Ormont Blumberg Fox News, Fox News, 17 Oct. 2023 Imagine kicking back in a hammock set high on a stargazer platform in an open pine savannah. Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 3 Nov. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hammock.' 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 (1)

Spanish hamaca, from Taino

Noun (2)

earlier hammok, hommoke, humock; akin to Middle Low German hummel small height, hump bump — more at hump

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1626, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1556, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hammock was in 1556

Dictionary Entries Near hammock

Cite this Entry

“Hammock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hammock. Accessed 8 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

hammock

noun
ham·​mock
ˈham-ək
: a swinging couch or bed usually made of netting or canvas and slung by cords from supports at each end
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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