English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
Login Flashcards
name Uncommon

Hamburg

HAM-burg
Quiz me More like this

Hamburg (name) means the second-largest city in Germany and one of its constituent states, a major port on the Elbe River. Example: “Container ships from around the world dock in the port of Hamburg.”

name
1
The second-largest city in Germany and one of its constituent states, a major port on the Elbe River.
"Container ships from around the world dock in the port of Hamburg."
noun
1
Ground beef, or a patty made from it, especially before it is served in a bun.
"She bought a pound of hamburg for the meatloaf."

How to use Hamburg

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither the major German port city, or (mainly in American English) a casual shortening of "hamburger meat."

UK vs US

The "ground beef" sense is a regional American usage, especially in the northeastern US; it is not common in British English.

Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like Hamburg.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice

Word forms

Plural
Hamburgs
Third person singular
hamburgs
Past tense
hamburged
Test yourself on “Hamburg” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Container ships from around the world dock in the port of _____.

Etymology

From German Hamburg, a compound linked to an old word for a bend or hollow of land plus "burg" (fortified town).

Origin: German

Synonyms

View more →
ground beef minced beef beef patty

Related words

hamburger

Frequently asked questions

What does “Hamburg” mean?
The word “Hamburg” means the second-largest city in Germany and one of its constituent states, a major port on the Elbe River. In plain terms, either the major German port city, or (mainly in American English) a casual shortening of "hamburger meat.".
How do you pronounce “Hamburg”?
“Hamburg” is pronounced HAM-burg (/ˈhæmbɝɡ/ in IPA).
How do you use “Hamburg” in a sentence?
Here is “Hamburg” used in a sentence: “Container ships from around the world dock in the port of Hamburg.”
What part of speech is “Hamburg”?
Depending on how it is used, “Hamburg” can be a name and a noun.
Where does the word “Hamburg” come from?
The word “Hamburg” comes from German. From German Hamburg, a compound linked to an old word for a bend or hollow of land plus "burg" (fortified town).
Is “Hamburg” a common word?
“Hamburg” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Hamburg” have?
“Hamburg” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the second-largest city in Germany and one of its constituent states, a major port on the Elbe River.
Is Hamburg the capital of Germany?
No, Hamburg is not Germany's capital; that role belongs to Berlin. Hamburg is instead the second-largest city in Germany and one of its constituent states, notable as a major port on the Elbe River.
Why is a hamburger named after Hamburg?
The word "hamburger" traces back to Hamburg because the food term "hamburg" itself refers to ground beef or a beef patty, especially before it is served in a bun, linking the dish's name to the German city.
What is the difference between Hamburg and a hamburger?
Hamburg is a German city and state, while a hamburger is a food item, though "hamburg" as a noun can also refer to the ground beef patty itself before it is placed in a bun. The city name and the food term share an origin but refer to entirely different things in modern use.

Featured in

Vocabulary lists that include Hamburg:

Words with German origins

People also searched

hamburger