hampers; hampered; hampering
: to slow the movement, progress, or action of (someone or something)
Bad weather could hamper our search efforts. = Bad weather could hamper us in our search efforts.
The project was hampered by budget restraints.
Construction is hampering traffic on the highway.
plural hampers
: a large basket usually with a cover: such as
a
: a basket for food
a picnic hamper
b
US
: a basket for holding dirty clothes until they can be washed
a clothes hamper
Cite this Entry
“Hamper.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/hamper. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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