1
a
: a hand tool consisting of a solid head set crosswise on a handle and used for pounding
b
: a power tool that often substitutes a metal block or a drill for the hammerhead
2
: something that resembles a hammer in form or action: such as
a
: a lever with a striking head for ringing a bell or striking a gong
b(1)
: an arm that strikes the cap in a percussion lock to ignite the propelling charge
(2)
: a part of the action of a modern gun that strikes the primer of the cartridge in firing or that strikes the firing pin to ignite the cartridge
c
: malleus
d
: gavel
e(1)
: a padded mallet in a piano action for striking a string
(2)
: a hand mallet for playing on various percussion instruments (such as a xylophone)
3
: a metal sphere thrown for distance in the hammer throw
hammered; hammering
ˈha-mər-iŋ 
ˈham-riŋ
1
: to strike blows especially repeatedly with or as if with a hammer : pound
2
: to make repeated efforts
especially
: to reiterate an opinion or attitude
the lectures all hammered away at the same points
1
a
: to beat, drive, or shape with repeated blows of a hammer
b
: to fasten or build with a hammer
2
: to strike or drive with a force suggesting a hammer blow or repeated blows
hammered the ball over the fence
tried to hammer me into submission
3
: to criticize severely
Synonyms
Examples of hammer in a Sentence
Verb
He hammered the dent out of the fender.
The carpenters were hammering all afternoon.
The workers are hammering the studs to the frame.
The batter hammered the ball over the fence.
Someone tried to hammer him over the head with a club.
Many towns were hammered by the hurricane.
The typist's fingers were hammering the keys.
He was hammering at the door.
The rain hammered down on the roof.
The home team was hammered 9–0.
Recent Examples on the Web
Brian Dillon, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
Ah, but Hal’s already there, in the basement with a hammer embedded in his skull.
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 29 Oct. 2024
Laura Gersony, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024
That included in the parts of western North Carolina hammered last month by Hurricane Helene.
—Chris Morris, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hammer 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
It will be transformed into a fresh new home, as will the neighboring chapel.
, which has amassed over 200,000 views on TikTok, shows the suspicious door that was once underneath the bath, with Mandy using a chisel and a hammer to pry it open.
—Brian Dillon, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
Ah, but Hal’s already there, in the basement with a hammer embedded in his skull.
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 29 Oct. 2024
Verb
Engel in turn has hammered Ciscomani for opposing a bipartisan deal which, if enacted, would have marked one of the most comprehensive immigration reform efforts in decades.
—Laura Gersony, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024
That included in the parts of western North Carolina hammered last month by Hurricane Helene.
—Chris Morris, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hammer
Articles Related to hammer
Dictionary Entries Near hammer
Cite this Entry
“Hammer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hammer. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hammer
1 of 2 noun
ham·mer
ˈham-ər
1
a
: a hand tool that consists of a solid head set crosswise on a handle and is used for pounding (as in driving nails)
b
: a power tool for pounding
2
: something that resembles a hammer in shape or action (as the part of a gun whose striking action causes explosion of the charge)
3
: malleus
4
: a heavy metal ball with a flexible handle that is thrown for distance in a track-and-field contest
hammer
2 of 2 verb
hammered; hammering
ˈham-(ə-)riŋ
1
: to strike blows with or as if with a hammer : pound
2
a
: to make repeated efforts
hammer away at one's lessons
b
: to emphasize (as an opinion) by repetition
hammers his point home
3
: to fasten, build, drive, or shape with a hammer
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