jackhammer

noun

jack·​ham·​mer ˈjak-ˌha-mər 

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

Examples of jackhammer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Compared to conventional demo techniques – jackhammers or blasting with det cord, PETN, TNT and the like – the Catonator can reportedly cut through rock, concrete, and even steel up to 10 times faster while being significantly quieter, with less mess and less disruption. —New Atlas, 18 June 2025

Construction on that train is underway; jackhammers could be heard midday Friday as members of the Metro board, as well as an array of current and former city and county leaders, arrived for the 1 p.m. ribbon-cutting and ceremony. —Colleen Shalby, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025

Crews in Washington, D.C., use concrete saws, jackhammers and excavators to dismantle the Black Lives Matter Plaza street mural, created two blocks north of the White House as a symbol during the 2020 protests against the murder of George Floyd, March 11, 2025. —/ Cbs News, CBS News, 8 June 2025

The vibration of jackhammers pounded in our chests and bulldozers appeared from canyon floor to rim, gutting the Subansiri and hauling away her bones. —Bridget Crocker june 6, Literary Hub, 6 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1912, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for jackhammer

• programmer
• sledgehammer
• tetramer
• amor
• clamor
• clamour
• glamor
• glamour
• grammar
• hammer
• jammer
• rammer

Kids Definition

jackhammer

noun

jack·​ham·​mer ˈjak-ˌham-ər 

: a tool driven by compressed air that is used for drilling or breaking up hard substances (as rock or pavement) by a repeated pounding action