jackhammer

noun jack·ham·mer \ ˈjak-ˌha-mər \

Updated on: 22 Mar 2018

Definition of jackhammer

1 : a pneumatically operated percussive rock-drilling tool usually held in the hands

2 : a device in which a tool (such as a chisel for breaking up pavements) is driven percussively by compressed air

—

jackhammer

verb

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Recent Examples of jackhammer from the Web

In January, military special forces and special units with Customs and Border Protection spent three weeks trying to breach and scale the eight models in San Diego, using jackhammers, saws, torches and other tools and climbing devices.

— dartunorro clark, NBC News, "Trump visits California to see wall prototypes near Mexico border," 13 Mar. 2018
In the first weeks after the shooting, the sound of jackhammers at a construction site or a helicopter flying overhead would send her to the ground in a fetal position, sobbing.

— john wilkens, sandiegouniontribune.com, "San Diego survivors of Las Vegas shooting find solace in each other," 4 Mar. 2018
And the volume can hit a jackhammer-loud 120 decibels or more.

— joyce cohen, PEOPLE.com, "Texas Woman Warns Others After Loud MRI Permanently Damages Her Ears: 'I Live a Life of Misery'," 26 Feb. 2018
Liu opens with a long shot of an industrial site on the edge of town, a wall cutting a horizon across the frame, behind it a twisting ribbon of black smoke, a pounding jackhammer, and clusters of gray high-rises in the distance.

— j.r. jones, Chicago Reader, "Animation gets real in Tehran Taboo and Have a Nice Day," 14 Feb. 2018
Workers were using backhoes, jackhammers and chain saws to clear the debris in Montecito, nearly a week after a powerful storm sent flash floods cascading through mountain slopes that were burned bare by a huge wildfire in December.

— CBS News, "Southern California mudslides: 20 dead after crews recover body," 14 Jan. 2018
There’s a constant bombardment of jackhammers and dump trucks.

— as told to patricia r. olsen, New York Times, "Waging the Cancer War, Surrounded by Signs of Life," 12 Jan. 2018
For 60 minutes, the Tide chipped away at Clemson like a jackhammer, splintering the Tigers into little pieces.

— rainer sabin, AL.com, "How Alabama lost its identity against Auburn and found it against Clemson," 2 Jan. 2018
Moore spent his formative years in Gallant, the oldest of five children born to a jackhammer operator and a homemaker.

— philip elliott / washington, Time, "Roy Moore Is Rising in Alabama. Here's How He Could Disrupt Trump's GOP," 19 Oct. 2017

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

First Known Use of jackhammer

1916

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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JACKHAMMER Defined for English Language Learners

jackhammer

noun

Definition of jackhammer for English Language Learners

: a heavy tool used to break hard substances (such as concrete) into pieces by a repeated pounding action

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See words that rhyme with jackhammer Spanish Central: Translation of jackhammer Nglish: Translation of jackhammer for Spanish speakers

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Definition of jackhammer

jackhammer

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