hopper

noun

hop·per | \ˈhä-pər

Definition of hopper

(Entry 1 of 4)

1a : one that hops

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

2 [ 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

Hopper

biographical name (1)

Hop·per | \ˈhä-pər

Definition of Hopper (Entry 2 of 4)

Edward 1882–1967 American artist

Hopper

biographical name (2)

Definition of Hopper (Entry 3 of 4)

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

Hopper

biographical name (3)

Definition of Hopper (Entry 4 of 4)

(William) DeWolf 1858–1935 American actor

Examples of hopper in a Sentence

Noun

The company has several new product ideas in the hopper.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The agency had instituted an emergency schedule while work was underway to repair track damaged May 2 when two hopper cars loaded with crushed stone on a Norfolk Southern freight train derailed between SEPTA’s Eddystone and Crum Lynne stations. — Joseph A. Gambardello, Philly.com, "SEPTA's Wilmington/Newark line to resume normal service after derailment," 1 June 2018 The haul included 100 pounds of methamphetamine in a secret compartment of a hopper car on a train at the Calexico railyard, according to a new release issued Tuesday by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials. — Teri Figueroa, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Weekend border busts yield $4.7M in drugs, nine arrests," 22 May 2018 In such cases, thieves open up grain hoppers or freight cars and people swoop in en masse as police or soldiers stand by outnumbered and overwhelmed. — Washington Post, "In Mexico, rising ‘mass crime’ defies security forces," 27 June 2018 Baez hit a one-hopper back to the mound that Hughes muffed as Bote dived across the plate with the tying run. — Phil Rogers, chicagotribune.com, "Four-run eighth inning gives Cubs wild 8-7 win against Reds," 7 July 2018 Aussie electronic duo The Presets will replace the hip-hoppers on the Splendour bill. — Lars Brandle, Billboard, "Chromeo Cancels Australia Tour For Health Reasons," 2 July 2018 Another took warm, gooey asphalt from a dump truck into its hopper and spread it on the street with the care of a pastry chef icing a cake. — John Kelly, Washington Post, "From potholes to perfect pavement: My neighborhood has lovely new streets," 24 June 2018 There might be room to get even more ridiculous from here, but as the size of Savage's hopper indicates, simply pushing the limits on size does eventually put you at a point of diminishing returns. — Eric Limer, Popular Mechanics, "Is This The Most Bonkers Nerf Mod Humanly Possible?," 7 June 2018 For bar-hoppers The restaurant’s prohibition-era theming is best exemplified in its cocktail menu, while its Italian roots mean a lot of vino. — Lauren Delgado, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Enzo's Hideaway offers Italian fare paired with prohibition-style cocktails," 14 July 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.