hopper

noun hop·per \ ˈhä-pər \

|Updated on: 16 Jul 2018

Definition of hopper

1 a : one that hops

b : a leaping insect; specifically : an immature hopping form of an insect (such as a grasshopper or locust)

[from the shaking motion of hoppers used to feed grain into a mill]

a : a usually funnel-shaped receptacle for delivering material (such as grain or coal); also : any of various other receptacles for the temporary storage of material

b : a freight car with a floor sloping to one or more hinged doors for discharging bulk materials — called also hopper car

c : a box in which a bill to be considered by a legislative body is dropped

d : a tank holding liquid and having a device for releasing its contents through a pipe

e : a mix of things to be considered or done

See hopper defined for English-language learners

See hopper defined for kids

Examples of hopper in a Sentence

The company has several new product ideas in the hopper.

Recent Examples of hopper from the Web

That brought up Rivera, who slapped a high-hopper to third that scored Anderson. -- Monday marked only the second time in Marlins Park history that the roof was open for a game in July.

— clark spencer, miamiherald, "Barraclough finally blows a save, but Marlins still prevail in extras," 2 July 2018
The weapon can shoot 20 projectiles per second and can feed from either a 180-round hopper typically used in paintball guns or a 10- or 15-round bullet-style magazine.

— kyle mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "The U.S. Army is Buying Pepper Spray Paintball Guns," 18 June 2018
The grand-prize winner gets a four-day/three-night stay at Disney World, a pair of four-day park hopper tickets, a $250 gift card, access to Disney VIP tour guides, unlimited Disney PhotoPass services and more.

— dewayne bevil, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Disney contest winner will camp out overnight in Pandora," 11 June 2018
Donaldson ended it with a hard one-hopper to Seager.

— CBS News, "Canadian James Paxton of Seattle Mariners pitches no-hitter vs. Toronto Blue Jays, in Toronto," 9 May 2018
For bar-hoppers Champagne and wine are obviously the focus at Bites & Bubbles, but a few craft brews are available as well.

— lauren delgado, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Bites & Bubbles serves up a romantic date night in Mills 50," 22 June 2018
In this tale of strengthening ties, the border-hoppers are the main protagonists.

— The Economist, "Why America and Mexico are destined to grow even closer," 21 June 2018
In the third, McCracken got a one-out double from Dodd but Rom retired the next two batters on a strikeout and a hard one-hopper back to him.

— james weber, Cincinnati.com, "Highlands baseball, Drew Rom hold off McCracken in state baseball semifinals," 16 June 2018
In the sixth, second baseman Whit Merrifield went to his left to field a soft one-hopper from Max Kepler.

— blair kerkhoff, kansascity, "Alcides Escobar's homer in 14th gives Royals their first walk-off victory of season," 30 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hopper.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of hopper

13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Hopper

biographical name Hop·per \ ˈhä-pər \

Definition of Hopper

Edward 1882–1967 American artist

Hopper

biographical name

Definition of Hopper

Grace 1906–1992 née Grace Brewster Murray American admiral, mathematician, and computer scientist

Hopper

biographical name

Definition of Hopper

(William) DeWolf 1858–1935 American actor

HOPPER Defined for English Language Learners

hopper

noun

Definition of hopper for English Language Learners

: someone or something that hops
: a container that is used for pouring material (such as grain or coal) into a machine or opening
the hopper : a box that bills are put into before they are considered by a legislature