WordGarden.iohammer
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /hˈæmə/
US
- /ˈhæmər/
Meanings
Noun
a hand tool with a heavy head used for striking, driving nails, or shaping material
a part of a mechanism that strikes another part, such as in a piano or firearm
a heavy metal ball on a wire thrown in a track-and-field event, or the event itself
Verb
to hit, drive, or shape something with a hammer or repeated heavy blows
to criticize, question, or press someone forcefully and repeatedly
to defeat someone very heavily in a game, contest, or election
Beyond the definition
A hammer is not just for nails. It is the solid tool you reach for when something needs a strong hit, whether you are driving a nail into wood, shaping metal, or even, carefully, breaking something apart. Think of a blacksmith striking hot iron on an anvil or a carpenter building a house; that steady clang is the sound of this tool at work.
But "hammer" is not always about the physical tool. You can hammer home a point in an argument, meaning you repeat it strongly so people understand it. You might also feel like life is hammering you with bad news, meaning problems keep hitting you one after another. It is a strong word that suggests force, impact, and repetition.
The most familiar image of a hammer is the physical tool: a weighted head attached to a handle, designed for striking. This simple device has been essential for construction, repair, and crafting for millennia. From building homes and furniture to forging metal and sculpting stone, the hammer's ability to deliver concentrated force makes it incredibly versatile. Common variations include the claw hammer for carpentry, the sledgehammer for heavy demolition, and the ball-peen hammer for metalworking.
However, "hammer" extends far beyond its physical form. As a verb, to hammer something often means to repeatedly emphasize it in an insistent way. For instance, "The politician hammered home the message of lower taxes," suggests they repeated the point relentlessly to win over the audience.
Figuratively, the word describes being overwhelmed by force or volume. To be "hammered by criticism" implies facing a relentless sequence of negative feedback, much like the repetitive blows of the tool itself. In a competitive context, such as sports or debate, to "hammer" an opponent means to defeat them decisively or treat them harshly.
The word's origins trace back to Old English, and its association with striking and power has remained consistent throughout history. Whether you are building something new, making a persuasive point, or weathering a storm of challenges, "hammer" evokes a sense of strength, impact, and persistent effort.
Examples
- 1
Home repair
I grabbed a hammer to put the shelf up.
- 2
Using a tool
Be careful not to hammer the nail in too hard.
- 3
Heavy impact
Rain hammered against the roof for most of the night.
- 4
Political criticism
Reporters kept hammering the mayor over the missing funds.
- Patternhammer + person over + issue
criticize them strongly and repeatedly
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Negotiation
The two sides are still trying to hammer out a deal.
- Patternhammer out + agreement/plan
reach it after a lot of discussion
- 6
Emphasis
Our teacher really hammered home the need to check our work.
- Patternhammer home + point/message
repeat it until people understand it clearly
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- claw hammer
- hammer and nails
- swing a hammer
Word family
Explore
- hand tool
- fastener
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- hammernounverb
Forms
- hammeredpast tenseverbnoun
- hammerspluralnounverb
- hammering-ing formverbnoun