hamster

noun

ham·​ster ˈham(p)-stər 

: any of a subfamily (Cricetinae) of small Old World rodents having very large cheek pouches

Examples of hamster in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Shibuya’s team is already pursuing an effort to repeat the experiment in other animals, including lizards, hamsters, marsupials, marmosets and macaques, although these results have not yet been published. —Humberto Basilio, Scientific American, 3 Dec. 2025

Artificial attention may wean us off the frantic hamster wheel of social media approval. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 28 Nov. 2025

This actually applies to all pets, so your pigs, parrots and hamsters can all do their part in uniting their best friends too. —Jacob Wilt, jsonline.com, 26 Nov. 2025

Experts share some tips to slow down your mental hamster wheel. —Sarah Hutter, CNN Money, 20 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

German, from Old High German hamustro, of Slavic origin; akin to Old Russian choměstorŭ hamster, of Iranian origin; akin to Avestan hamaēstar- oppressor

First Known Use

1607, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing hamster

• golden hamster
• Syrian hamster

Kids Definition

hamster

noun

ham·​ster ˈham(p)-stər 

: any of various small Old World rodents with a short tail and large cheek pouches

Medical Definition

hamster

noun

ham·​ster ˈham(p)-stər 

: any of numerous Old World rodents (Cricetus or a related genus) having very large cheek pouches and including several used as laboratory animals