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

For instance, when Linda finally caves to her daughter’s incessant requests — demands — for a hamster, things go catastrophically wrong. —Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 18 Oct. 2025

Moflin, a hamster-like robot, is an AI-powered companion from Japanese electronics manufacturer Casio. —Sophie Caldwell, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2025

Or that the hamster her daughter kept begging, begging, begging Linda to get turns out to be a raging, biting terror? —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 10 Oct. 2025

However, buying supplies for a new hamster can really add up, and the hamster cage is the most expensive part. —Jessie Quinn, USA Today, 10 Oct. 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